Solomon Asks For Wisdom

II Chronicles 1:1–17
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At the end of I Chronicles (29:26-30) we find that David has just died (he was about 70 years of age) (II Samuel 5:4). Solomon takes the royal power fully with a genuine wholehearted devotion to God (v. 1). He is now in complete control of his kingdom because the Lord has blessed him. After communicating with all the leaders of Israel, Solomon led them up to Gibeon, about seven miles northwest of Jerusalem where the Mosaic tabernacle was located, to meet with God (vv. 2-5). Along with the other national leaders Solomon expresses his devotion to the Lord by offering 1,000 burnt offerings on that one occasion (v.6). That night the Lord responded to Solomon’s expression of worship by appearing to him (in a dream; of I Kings 3:5) and inviting him to request whatever he wanted (v.7).

Because Solomon was young and inexperienced, he was apprehensive about his ability to rule this great nation. He asked for practical “know-how” in doing the job God had given him to do (vv. 8-10). This unselfish character of Solomon’s choice prompted God to grant not only what Solomon asked for but also more (vv. 11-12). God said he would also give Solomon wealth, riches, and honor unlike any other king of Israel (v.11-12 of I Chronicles 29:25). Solomon then leaves Gibeon and returns to Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel (v. 13). To show God’s faithfulness to His promise, the writer then itemized the material blessings that came to Solomon (vv. 14-17).

Application

How unselfish is my character? Read Matthew 5:38-42. If I were asked to do something once (like mow the yard, vacuum the house, or take out the trash) how many times would I do it?  Doing it more than once (when I don’t have to) shows true unselfish character. This means that when I’m wronged, I will not try to get even (or ahead). It was this “unselfishcharacter” that pleased God and prompted Him to ask Solomon what he would like.