II Chronicles 1 (NIV)

Summary:

Solomon Asks for Wisdom
Verses 1-17

Solomon, son of David, established himself firmly in his kingdom, for God was with him and made him exceedingly great.  Solomon addressed all of Israel - the commanders of thousands and hundreds, the judges, leaders, and heads of families.  They all went to the high place at Gibeon, where God's Tent of Meeting was located.  Moses, God's servant, had built it there in the desert.  David had brought up the ark from Kiriath Jearim and pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.  Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made the bronze altar in Gibeon, in front of the Lord's tabernacle.  Solomon and the assembly inquired of God there.  Solomon offered 1,000 burnt offerings to God on the altar.

That night, God appeared to Solomon and told him to ask for whatever he wanted.  Solomon said that God had been kind to him and his father, making them king.  Solomon asked for God's promise to David to be confirmed.  God had made Solomon king of a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.  He asked for wisdom and knowledge to lead God's people Israel.  God told Saul that he had not asked for wealth, riches, honor, death for his enemies, or a long life.  Since Solomon's heart's desire was wisdom and knowledge, God would give him these as well as wealth, riches, and honor, more than any king before or after him.

Solomon went to Jerusalem and reigned over Israel.  He accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he kept in chariot cities as well as Jerusalem.  Solomon made silver and gold as common as stones and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.  The horses were imported from Eypyt and Kue.  Kue was where the royal merchants bought their horses.  They also imported an Egyptian chariot for 600 shekels (~15lbs) of silver and a horse for 150 shekels (~3 3/4lbs) of silver.  They exported their goods to all the kings of the Hittites and Arameans.

Lori's Thoughts:

When Solomon made his sacrifice of 1,000 burnt offerings, I imagine he did so out of humility and immense gratitude.  God had already greatly blessed him, so he must have been overflowing with love for God.  God knows our hearts.  If Solomon had made this great sacrifice out of pride or a desire to intimidate onlookers, I don't think God would have offered Solomon a blank check.

Here's the thing, if Solomon had asked for wealth, God would have given it to him.  If he had asked for battle success and glory, God would have given them to him.  Anything he would have asked, God would have given it to him.  I think any human would ask for materials, health, or fame.  But, Solomon's soul was in touch with the Holy Spirit.  When he made the sacrifices, his thoughts were on God.  When he made his prayer request, his thoughts were on everyone else, that is, his people.  (Do you remember the two commandments I wrote about yesterday?)  When God blessed, His thougths were on Solomon.

I thought David overflowed with wealth.  Well, God blessed Solomon all the more.  I told you He wants us to prosper.

Do you believe He'll do the same for you?