Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 (NRSV)

Then David slept with his ancestors, and was buried in the city of David. The time that David reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established.
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Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places. The 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. At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” And 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. And 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. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give 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?”

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God 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, I 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. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.”

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Reflect

How burdened Solomon must have felt as he spoke with God about the responsibilities of following in his father, David’s, footsteps! Solomon recognized the magnitude of the charge that had come to him, to govern a thriving and vast kingdom. A young man, he lacked experience and wisdom. As Solomon submitted his offerings first, he then poured out his request to God, who appeared to him in a dream. Solomon recalled his earthly father’s walk and God’s blessings. Solomon understood what he needed most from God—an understanding mind and discernment between good and evil. With these two gifts, and only with these, he could fulfill the charge that was his.

When we come to God with our requests, is it this discernment and understanding that can come only from God for which we ask first? God’s wisdom provides when the world’s wisdom is lacking. God honored not only Solomon’s request, but also gave him much for which he did not ask. Is it not also this way for us? Let us seek God first, asking for wisdom and discernment in all we do. God will give us strength, wisdom, and discernment for the responsibilities that are ours, both large and small, and will also supply us richly with blessings beyond our imagining.

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Pray

Lord, just as Solomon asked, we come before you asking for wisdom and discernment in all we undertake to do. Help us to hear your voice, know your will, discern between good and evil, and be sensitive to the work you would put before us today. Guide our hearts in acting with both wisdom and discernment. Amen.

Go with God.