Not long after Solomon takes the throne as king of Israel, God appears to Solomon in a dream and says: “Ask! What shall I give you?” If God were to ask you that question, what is the first things that comes to mind that you would ask for? Good health, long life, riches, fame, for a wayward child to come back to Christ, a promotion? Would you ask God to wipe out your enemies or seek revenge for a wrong done? Solomon could have asked for anything. However, he asked for nothing from a selfish perspective. Perhaps now that he sat on the throne, the weight of the responsibility weighed on him. Solomon asked for nothing for himself except for God’s wisdom in leading and guiding God’s people. His requests marks a cultural change from a strong military nation to one of peaceful values. Solomon asked God to give him the ability to discern good and evil and to make him a ruler with a wise and obedient heart.

If God were to say to you, “Ask! What shall I give you?”
what would you ask for? –click to tweet

God was pleased with Solomon’s request and granted what he asked for. Verses 10-12 says, “The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked for riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words.; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.” But God didn’t stop there. In verse 13, God continues and says, “And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.” Still God didn’t stop, but His final gift to Solomon had a condition placed on it. In verse 14, God says, “So if you walk in My ways, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

We can know that God delights to give us wisdom when we truly seek it. Proverbs 2:6-8 says: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;  he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,  guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.” And in James 1:5 we find, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” So if you are struggling with knowing what you should do, ask God to give you wisdom.

God delights in giving us wisdom when we truly seek it. –click to tweet

So just how wise was Solomon? 1 Kings 4:29-34 describes Solomon this way: “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.”

Solomon began well, as his humble request for wisdom shows, but later in his reign he would disobey God and it would cost him the majority of the kingdom. However, because of God’s mercy and promise to David, it would not occur in Solomon’s reign, but in the reign of Solomon’s son. Extending even more mercy, God would allow one tribe from the whole nation to remain.

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars: This book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. Click here to purchase your copy. (This link will open a new widow and take you to Westbow Press’ bookstore.) It is also available at Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel

 

Looking for a speaker for your next ministry event? Julia is now booking for 2019 and 2020 Christian events for women’s and couples’ ministries for both small and large events.
Book with us now.

Julia is CEO of Wellspring Christian Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people and couples develop a passionate relationship with God. A public speaker, conference trainer, event planner, and blog writer, Julia is a two-time graduate from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor in Psychology and a masters in Professional Counseling. Saved as a child and raised in church and in a Christian home and private Christian School as a Pastor’s kid, Julia has taught Sunday school, led music, played the piano, served as Children’s Director, and engaged her gifts in many other areas of church life. Previously employed with the Florida Baptist Convention, Julia organized events and led conferences for church ministry assistants.

Julia enjoys sharing her journey as a growing Christian with others looking for a deeper connection with God. Through Bible study and her own life experiences, God has given Julia a passion to help couples understand God’s design for marriage while they learn to place God first in their marriage, cultivate meaningful relationships, build intimacy, and address the tougher issues that come in every marriage so that they can experience a marriage that honors and glorifies God. Julia also loves mentoring, teaching, and working with women to help them learn to live as Godly women.

With her history and experience growing up in both small and large churches, Julia enjoys bringing top level quality events to churches of all sizes. Her father largely pastored small churches and therefore she understands that these vital parts of the believing community need to be good stewards of the resources God provides them with. This knowledge inspires her passion for being available with a fresh perspective for those who want to provide their congregations with meaningful spiritual growth opportunities.

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