God’s Renewing Word of Wisdom
Introduction
1 Kings 3:1-15: The LORD appears to Solomon in a dream and asks Solomon what he would like God to give him. The Lord is pleased with Solomon’s response. When Solomon awakens, he brings offerings to the LORD and gives a feast for all his officials.
Scripture Reading
Solomon Prays for Wisdom
3 Solomon made an alliance with the king of Egypt by marrying his daughter. He brought her to live in David’s City until he had finished building his palace, the Temple, and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 A temple had not yet been built for the Lord, and so the people were still offering sacrifices at many different altars. 3 Solomon loved the Lord and followed the instructions of his father David, but he also slaughtered animals and offered them as sacrifices on various altars.
4 On one occasion he went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices because that was where the most famous altar was. He had offered hundreds of burnt offerings there in the past. 5 That night the Lord appeared to him in a dream and asked him, “What would you like me to give you?”
6 Solomon answered, “You always showed great love for my father David, your servant, and he was good, loyal, and honest in his relation with you. And you have continued to show him your great and constant love by giving him a son who today rules in his place. 7 O Lord God, you have let me succeed my father as king, even though I am very young and don’t know how to rule. 8 Here I am among the people you have chosen to be your own, a people who are so many that they cannot be counted. 9 So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?”
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this, 11 and so he said to him, “Because you have asked for the wisdom to rule justly, instead of long life for yourself or riches or the death of your enemies, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again. 13 I will also give you what you have not asked for: all your life you will have wealth and honor, more than that of any other king. 14 And if you obey me and keep my laws and commands, as your father David did, I will give you a long life.”
15 Solomon woke up and realized that God had spoken to him in the dream. Then he went to Jerusalem and stood in front of the Lord’s Covenant Box and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. After that he gave a feast for all his officials.
Today’s Key Verse: 1 Kings 3:9a
[Solomon prayed:] “Give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil.”
Reflect
What does Solomon ask of God? What does God promise to give him? What does God promise if Solomon obeys God? What will you ask of God today?
Pray
Lord God, fill my mind with your wisdom so that I walk in your ways. Teach me to know the difference between good and evil and to do your will. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
1 Kings 3:16-28: Solomon judges a difficult case.