God's Offer To Solomon

I Kings 3:5-14

If you were to be given one wish that was guaranteed to be granted, what would you wish for?  Many people would wish for loads of money, enough to keep them more than comfortable for the rest of their life.  Some might wish for a wonderful job.  Maybe the spouse of their dreams.  If the person had health problems, perhaps they would wish for good health the rest of their life.  Solomon had just inherited the throne of Israel following the death of his father, King David, when God came to him and told him He would give him whatever he wished for.  Let’s look at what it is that Solomon asked for in response.

Here we have Solomon, newly come to the throne, and God speaks to him, telling him that He will give him whatever he would ask.  What will he ask God for?  One might think that in his position, Solomon might ask that his throne be secure from any enemies, either those from foreign countries, or from within the kingdom.  Or maybe great riches so his reign will be remembered as a great one.  Instead Solomon took a good look at himself, and knew that he wasn’t really wasn’t prepared for this challenge that lay before him, to rule the nation.  In verse 7 he calls himself a “child”.  That doesn’t mean that Solomon was a little boy, as he was at least in his late teens, probably early twenties.  He knew, though, that he was young, inexperienced and unqualified for this position of ruler of God’s people.

As we read in verse 9, the one thing that Solomon asked of God, was to ask for wisdom.  When he could have had anything, he asked for wisdom.  Wisdom is the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment.  The Lord God was very pleased with what Solomon asked Him for (vs. 10).  Solomon’s request was not a selfish or greedy one.  He knew that God had placed him in the position he had, and he wanted to do his best to govern the people.  God granted his request, giving him much wisdom, but He also gave Solomon those things he didn’t ask for, wealth and riches, that most people would have asked (vs. 11 - 13).

God also promised that if Solomon followed Him, He would give him a long life.  (Psalm 90:10 says that 70 is the standard age for “long life” in Biblical days, maybe reaching 80.)   Unfortunately Solomon disobeyed God by turning to the false gods of his many wives (I Kings 11:4-10).  Solomon reigned for forty years (I Kings 11:42), so he was in his late 50’s - early 60’s when he died.

Solomon was given wisdom, but it was up to him to apply that wisdom.  He did that quite well in governing the nation.  The times of Solomon’s reign might truly be said to be the golden age of Israel.  Solomon, regrettably, did not apply wisdom in his personal, and later his spiritual life.  To be truly wise one needs to discern what is best plus have strength of character to do that.  One must act upon that knowledge.   As the years went by, Solomon didn’t show that strength of character in his personal life, nor did he act upon the wisdom that he had.  Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, most, if not all of these, not being believers in Yahweh.  God has specifically commanded that His people not marry unbelievers, and this applies to us even today (II Corinthians 6:14).  These women turned Solomon away from God, so that he built altars to their false gods throughout the country, and he worshipped them (I Kings 11:1-8).   Marrying the unsaved never turns out well, which is why God instructs us not to.  At the very least they will lead us to apathy for God and our worship of Him.  At the worst, as in Solomon’s case, they will lead us completely away from Him.  Though Solomon governed his country with great wisdom, astounding nations around the world with his knowledge, and he built the magnificent Temple to the Lord, this did not atone for turning his heart away from Yahweh and following after other gods.  This ultimately led the country as a whole to drift away from Him as well (I Kings 11:9-11).

God wants us to use our gifts and abilities to do His will.  When we do, it is good for all.  Solomon did use his wisdom, at least with the nation he ruled.  He didn’t in his personal life, which ended up costing his descendents half of the kingdom, and ultimately contributed to the nation turning from Yahweh.  Having wisdom is important, which is why God tells us to ask Him for it (James 1:5).  As Solomon as shown us, though, it’s not enough to just have the wisdom in our heads, we must apply it to our life.  Let’s learn a lesson from Solomon.  It is not sufficient to merely start out well.  Wisdom is something that we should make use of all throughout our lives.