“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.” (I Kings 3:7
KJV)
As the neophyte
king, Solomon called his nation to join him in worship. And what a worship
event it must have been. The biblical record points to a festival that must
have lasted for several days. The huge number of sacrificial animals would
certainly require several days to prepare and sacrifice.
king, Solomon called his nation to join him in worship. And what a worship
event it must have been. The biblical record points to a festival that must
have lasted for several days. The huge number of sacrificial animals would
certainly require several days to prepare and sacrifice.
We may conclude that
the worship would suspend each evening so that everyone could rest and be
physically fresh for the next day’s worship. As he slept one night and in
response to his worship, the Lord visited Solomon and asked him: “What do
you want me to give you?”
the worship would suspend each evening so that everyone could rest and be
physically fresh for the next day’s worship. As he slept one night and in
response to his worship, the Lord visited Solomon and asked him: “What do
you want me to give you?”
No doubt, King
David, his father had warned him of the heavy responsibilities of this new job.
Yet the weight was never so heavy until it became his reality. Solomon’s
response to the Lord expresses the young king’s attitude and is generally
accepted as indicating humility rather than age. Considering Solomon’s request,
it seems he already possessed a measure of wisdom, even before asking God for
it.
David, his father had warned him of the heavy responsibilities of this new job.
Yet the weight was never so heavy until it became his reality. Solomon’s
response to the Lord expresses the young king’s attitude and is generally
accepted as indicating humility rather than age. Considering Solomon’s request,
it seems he already possessed a measure of wisdom, even before asking God for
it.
Note from his words
above that Solomon talked about his personal lifestyle and conduct. He
confessed his behavioral attitude and his self-perceived weakness. This is his
basic issue. He went on to express the magnitude of his leadership
responsibility as well as his need for clearly understanding all the issues
that he would have to deal with as the King.
above that Solomon talked about his personal lifestyle and conduct. He
confessed his behavioral attitude and his self-perceived weakness. This is his
basic issue. He went on to express the magnitude of his leadership
responsibility as well as his need for clearly understanding all the issues
that he would have to deal with as the King.
Like King Solomon,
we may often feel like children and not understand what to do. The arena in
which we live and function sometimes seems too big for us. Expectations seem
too high. The obstacles seem too great. The merry-go-round of life seems to
spin too fast and we would like to get off. But it is God that “made thy
servant” to be where we are today. And it is God who is asking, “What
do you want me to give you?”
we may often feel like children and not understand what to do. The arena in
which we live and function sometimes seems too big for us. Expectations seem
too high. The obstacles seem too great. The merry-go-round of life seems to
spin too fast and we would like to get off. But it is God that “made thy
servant” to be where we are today. And it is God who is asking, “What
do you want me to give you?”
How we respond to
God’s question is as crucial to us as Solomon’s response was to Solomon.
God’s question is as crucial to us as Solomon’s response was to Solomon.
Dear Father, thank
you for your concern about us. We cannot achieve your will and purpose without
your help. Give us an understanding heart that we might fully achieve all you
desire. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for your concern about us. We cannot achieve your will and purpose without
your help. Give us an understanding heart that we might fully achieve all you
desire. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today asking God for his help,
courageous today asking God for his help,