The story of Solomon is found in 1st King Chapter 3

June 17, 2011

Influential Men of the Bible: Solomon

The story of Solomon is found in 1st King Chapter 3

King Solomon was the son of King David and Bathsheba. He was not David’s oldest son, but David promised Bathsheba that Solomon would be the next king. Solomon’s name means “peace”. He composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. He wrote the Song of Songs, the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

Early in his reign, King Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings to the Lord in a place called Gibeon (the most prestigious of the local shrine’s to worship in). While there, The LORD told Solomon in a dream to ask anything that he wanted. Most kings would have asked for wealth, respect, fame, or long life but not Solomon. Instead he asked for wisdom to carry out the awesome responsibilities that God had given him. God was certainly pleased with his request. God gave him wisdom unlike anyone else before or after him, plus he gave him what he did not ask for …wealth, respect, security, and long life. There was only one thing God asked of Solomon; (vs: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. Just stay on course! Solomon became the wisest man who lived on Earth. One notable incident of his wisdom was in the case of two women claiming the same baby as their own. Solomon threatened to cut the baby in half. The first mother said okay to the solution, but the second mother could not accept the decision and was willing to give up the baby rather have the baby cut in half. Solomon then knew the second woman was the baby’s mother. Word got out. People from surrounding nations came to hear Solomon’s wisdom.

Have you ever wondered what you would ask for, if God came to you like He did Solomon and told you to, “ask me for anything you want.” Would you ask for money to pay bills or money so you can have a huge bank account…a Lexus or Mercedes Benz…or a house…better yet, a mansion? If you had God’s attention and He told you to ask for whatever you want, would you ask for wealth, honor, or prestige? Or would you ask for wisdom? Well, if the truth be told God has told you to ask. Jesus said in St. Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, and knock and the door shall be open.”

John 14:14 says: “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” The thing Solomon asked God for showed what was in his heart. I believe that applies to us too. The very thing we ask God for shows what is actually in our hearts. Solomon wanted knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action. What do you want? Stop saying you don’t know what God wants from you or wants you to be…ask Him! We can certainly follow Solomon’s example. We have to put out lives in priority. If you seek God’s kingdom first (making him top priority), he will work out the details (money, cars, wealth, prestige, etc.) in your life! Remember…God first, and everything else follows!