“Ask What I Shall Give You”
June 16, 2022
Have you ever wondered what one thing you would ask of God if He appeared to you in a dream and said, “Ask what I shall give you.”? Solomon had such an opportunity when he became king after his father David died. Far better than any genie in a bottle wish, God gave Solomon an opportunity to request anything he desired.
5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” – 1 Kings 3:5
Solomon’s request was for the wisdom to be a good king, one who would have an understanding mind to govern God’s great people.
9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” – 1 Kings 3:9
I’m not sure if God had given me an opportunity to ask Him for anything, that I would have chosen as wisely as Solomon. Most likely I would have asked for long life, wealth, possessions, honor, and a home at the beach! But Solomon asked wisely and his request pleased God so much that the Lord gave Solomon a wise and discerning mind, and then some.
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”—1 Kings 3:10-14
The LORD gave Solomon, “also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.” And thousands of years after Solomon lived, we can still benefit from his wise and understanding mind, because much of Solomon’s wisdom is recorded forever in the Book of Proverbs. Solomon’s wise insights for practical living, as granted by God, are presented in thirty-one chapters in the Book of Proverbs, and by reading that book, we may glean insights as to how to handle our money, relate to our children, honor our parents, and use wise words. In short, Proverbs can teach us how to live well and wisely on this earth.
Ask what I shall give you! May I ask you to join me over the next several weeks as I blog about each chapter of Proverbs?