1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 (NRSV)
Read 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 10Then David slept with his ancestors, and was buried in the city of David. Verse 11The time that David reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
Verse 12So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established. Verse 3Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places. Verse 4The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
Verse 5At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I should give you." Verse 6And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. Verse 7And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Verse 8And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Verse 9Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?" Verse 10It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. Verse 11God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, Verse 12I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. Verse 13I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. Verse 14If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life."
Devotion
One question I love to ask my confirmation classes as an icebreaker is, "If you could have any superpower, what would it be?" In this story from 1 Kings, it's almost as though young Solomon has the opportunity to be given some real superpowers from God. But instead of asking for money, or power, or revenge, Solomon asks for the wisdom to tell the difference between right and wrong as he governs the people. Such a request pleases God and in return God gives Solomon not only wisdom, but also riches and honor for the length of his life.
Like Solomon, we have been invited to come to God with the desires of our hearts in a life of prayer. Should it be any surprise that as we grow in our relationship with God we may also find the desires of our hearts beginning to change? And as the desires of our hearts begin to change we may also find that God is prepared to bless us in new and meaningful ways.
Prayer
God of the ages, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit. Like young Solomon, give us first and foremost a desire for your wisdom and truth. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.