Solomon's Wisdom
Solomon's Wisdom. David had chosen Solomon to sit upon the
throne of Israel and serve the Lord. After Solomon had
removed his enemies, he allied with the Pharaoh of Egypt,
and took Pharaoh's daughter to be his wife. Solomon had
thought intensely about his task to build a house for the
Lord, the Temple in Jerusalem. He went to offer sacrifices
to the Lord at Gibeon and that night the Lord appeared to
him in a dream saying "ask what you will and I will give it
to you" and Solomon said "you have shown great mercy to your
servant David, my father, even as he walked before you in
truth and justice and with an upright heart. You have
continued your great mercy toward him and given him a son to
sit on his throne, as it is today. And now, O Lord God, you
have made your servant King succeeding David, my father. I
am but a child, and know not how to act. You have chosen me
to be king over so many that they cannot be counted. Give
me, therefore, an understanding heart, to judge your people
and to discern between good and evil." The Lord was pleased
with Solomon's request and said, "because you have not asked
for long life or riches, nor for the death of your enemies,
but have asked wisdom for yourself to discern what is right,
I have done for you as you asked, and have given you a wise
and understanding heart, so much so that you are unlike
anyone before you, nor shall there be anyone like you after.
Yes, and the things also which you did not ask, I have given
you: that is, riches and glory, so that you are incomparable
with all previous kings. And if you will walk in my ways,
and keep my precepts and my commandments, as your father, I
will lengthen your life." (see 1 Kings 3 and 2 Chronicles
1).
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