TO CHEW ON: "The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this." 1 Kings 3:10
Suppose one day God came to you and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” What would you ask for?
This very thing happened to young Solomon. It was in the beginning of his reign. He was about twenty years old and he didn’t have much experience. Every day he realized more what a big job it was to be king. One night he had a dream. In that dream God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
Think of all of the things for which Solomon could have asked. Can you list some?
1. What did Solomon ask for? Pick out the things: (I Kings 3:9)
Wealth A long life
A discerning heart
Honor among kings
Death of his enemies
Ability to tell right from wrong
2. God was pleased with Solomon’s answer. He was so pleased, in fact, He said He would give Solomon what he had requested and more. Pick out the things, above, God said he would also give him. (I Kings 3:12-14)
Then Solomon woke up. It had all been a dream. He didn’t feel any wiser than he had before. Had God actually spoken to him? Had anything really happened?
A few days later when Solomon was judging the people, two women came to him. They were quarreling over a baby boy. Both of them claimed to be his mother. They wanted Solomon to decide who should get him.
“Cut the baby in two and each of you take half,” King Solomon said.
The first woman cried, “No, don’t do that! Give it to the other woman. Please don’t kill it.”
But the second woman said, “Neither of us will have him then. That’s a good idea!”
On hearing that Solomon knew what his verdict should be. “Give the living baby to the first woman,” he said. “Do not kill him. She is his mother.”
How did he know?
When the people in Israel heard how Solomon had handled this case, they were amazed. “He has wisdom from God,” they said.
PRAYER: Dear God, please give me a wise heart. Amen
MORE: A Prayer Test
Though God might never come to us in a dream and invite us to tell Him our wishes, we can ask things of Him every day in prayer. But is God pleased with our requests? Will He answer them? Here are some things this story teaches us about prayers that God likes.
1. Solomon’s request was humble. He knew he wasn’t wise enough to be a good king on his own and he asked for help. God is pleased with prayers that admit we need His help.
2. Solomon wasn’t selfish. Solomon could have asked for things for himself, but he didn’t. God is pleased with prayers that aren’t selfish.
3. Solomon was concerned with others. He asked God for wisdom so he could be a better king for Israel. God is pleased when we pray for things that will help others.
As you pray, ask God to help you pray these kinds of prayers.
Answers
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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