Solomon’s Prayer (I)
Solomon’s Prayer For Wisdom
Solomon’s Prayer is another example for us to study and emulate, especially what we should ask for if we are asking for something. His concern was to pray for God’s people, and he asked for wisdom to judge his people, which requires discernment.
It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this; and God replied not just a wise and discerning mind, but also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with him in all his days. And if he will walk in his ways, keeping his statutes and my commandments, as his father David walked, then God will also lengthen his days.
1 Kings 3:
5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I shall give thee.”
6 And Solomon said, “Thou hast shown 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.
7 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.
8 And Thy servant is in the midst of Thy people whom Thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 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?”
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 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,
12 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.
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
14 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.”
15 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 for all his servants.
Joel Huan
The Mystery of Ephraim 