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(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
1 Kings 3:5–15, “In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.”
Not long after his ascension, Solomon had a dream from the Lord. Solomon heard the Lord speaking to him in his dream. The Lord asked Solomon what he would like the Lord to do for him at this stage of his life. Solomon was still a young man and he had no experience at being king. There was a temptation for Solomon to ask the Lord to give him wealth or military power but Solomon was still humble and he asked the Lord to give him wisdom and understanding so that he would rule the Lord’s people well. Solomon didn’t have the experience he needed to distinguish between what was good for the Lord’s people and what was bad for the Lord’s people. The Lord had offered Solomon a choice and Solomon asked the Lord to give him the ability to honour the Lord as king of Israel. The Lord gave Solomon the understanding heart that he ha asked for but He also gave Solomon riches and honour. The Lord promised Solomon that there wouldn’t be another king like him. Even though the Lord gave Solomon an understanding heart, the Lord still made it clear to Solomon that he had to personally obey the Lord and make sure that his children and his people did the same if he wanted to establish his dynasty in Israel. When Solomon woke from his dream he offered sacrifices before the Ark of the Covenant to honour the Lord.
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