C. God’s Answer to Solomon’s Request and the Evidence of His Wisdom

1. God Grants Solomon’s Request (1 Kings 3:10-15).

1.1. God noted what Solomon did not ask. He did not ask for long life, riches, even for his enemies to be killed. He asked for a wise and understanding heart and God gave these things to him. When we pray within the will of God, we can be sure that God will answer our prayers positively.

1.2. God is gracious, for in fact, He did not just give Solomon what he requested but also gave him riches and honor. True wealth, however, are not the material things (Matthew 6:19-20).

1.3. Though Solomon had great wisdom, he never had the spiritual wisdom to walk in the ways of the Lord, unlike his father David. Though David was not perfect and did more heinous crimes than Solomon, he dealt with his sin problems and had respect for the law of God. Thus we find how he admonished Solomon his son that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10).

D. Solomon’s Evidence of Wisdom (1 Kings 3:28; 4:29-34).

1. Solomon achieved great things as king of Israel. He set a pattern for the kings who would follow him. Remarkably, this was the pattern of human government unto relatively modern times.

2. Solomon became the king who was above and beyond all others, somewhat a picture of how the Lord Jesus Christ will reign someday in His millennial kingdom. His wisdom was recognized by all nations around him. He had understanding of human nature and of the physical world. He accomplished things that had never been done before without having to go to war. Like the meaning of his name, Solomon ruled in peace.

3. Israel became prosperous beyond one’s imagination, but not because of Solomon’s innate talent or ability. We need to recognize that it was God that made all of Israel’s prosperity possible as a direct result of His granting Solomon’s request.

CONCLUSION

At the end of his life, Solomon realized that understanding spiritual matters are more important than human wisdom (Ecc. 12:13, 14). While Solomon’s human wisdom was unique, we believers today can have spiritual wisdom. We simply have to ask God for it (James 1:5). We can use this wisdom to make good and right choices in our everyday lives. This will enable us to live in peace and harmony in our daily lives. And more importantly, godly wisdom will prepare us for eternity.

No matter how grand Solomon’s kingdom was, it has long since passed from the earth. In contrast, the glory of the kingdom of Christ is yet to be revealed. A truly wise man will seek his place in the heavenly kingdom and pray for spiritual wisdom that comes only from above.

—BP’s Messages/David Robinson, Through the Bible 11.13.16