Ask for Wisdom

“That night the Lord appeared to him in a dream and asked him, “What would you like me to give you?” 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. 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. Here I am among the people you have chosen to be your own, a people who are so many that they cannot be counted. 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?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this, 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, 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. 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. And if you obey me and keep my laws and commands, as your father David did, I will give you a long life.” 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.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭15‬ ‭‬‬

This passage is where Solomon prays for wisdom. The Lord appeared to him in a dream asking what Solomon wanted God to give him. Solomon responded with wisdom. In response God let him know that he would give him the wisdom he asked for, but also what he didn’t ask for. God promised wealth, honor, and a long life. He added a caveat obey me and keep my commands.

Three things stand out to me in this passage:

Wisdom, we all need to be asking for this. Wisdom is not just knowing things it is not about education or learned information. Wisdom is being able to apply knowledge often in unconventional ways. Wisdom comes from God. Share wisdom with others but we can’t make them wise.

It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. James 1:5

God gives us more than we ask. When we are asking for the right thing and for the right reasons, He blesses us for it. He did not tell Solomon what to ask for. Solomon wanted God’s best for the people he was serving. His request was not self-centered or selfish. He wanted to do what was best for the people he was called to serve. Every single person is called to serve others and when our focus is God’s best for them when we ask of him he’ll provide more than we can ask think or imagine because that is our ministry to him. He will equip us for everything that we need.

Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. Ephesians 3:20

God didn’t put a condition on Solomon’s initial ask, the wisdom. It was only the extra blessing that God offered that had a If-Then clause. God offers wisdom and salvation freely. Salvation requires that we believe and confess. Otherwise God meets us where we are and in that relationship we choose to change through his power but there’s no condition placed on us for salvation. Wisdom is also given to all who requested again no conditions except that we ask.

The other blessings that God provides, He shows the things that are needed for us to receive the additional blessing. As we read through other scriptures we see the conditions. For Solomon, it was obeyed because “keep my commands” is also obey. We obey not because we want to receive more, God knows the motives of our heart and He is not blessing a false motive. Receiving was not Solomon’s motive. God asks us to obey because of the wisdom He has given us and because He wants only the best for us. That relationship with Him is what compels us to obey and receive all the extra blessing from Him.

The Lord wants good things for all of His children.  He offers wisdom if we ask for it. He generally gives us more than we asked for because He is a good Father! He does ask for more from us, mainly obedience, so that we will not be controlled by our blessings but will be blessed as we walk in the fruit of self-control and obey.

Prayer – Lord You’ve given so much to us in Your Word. Thank You for the life examples and testimonies contained there. Lord I pray and humbly ask for wisdom. I want to give Your best to every person I work with and every person that You have entrusted to my influence. I know with Your wisdom I can serve others well. Thank You for Your many blessings above salvation and wisdom. You are a good, good Father. Help me to continue in obedience to what You have called me to! In Jesus name amen.