◄ What Does 2 Chronicles 1:11 Mean? ►

God said to Solomon, "Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king,

2 Chronicles 1:11(NASB)

Picture courtesy of Moody Publishers/FreeBibleimages.org

Verse of the Day

When Solomon became king of Israel, we read that the Lord God appeared to him one night in a dream and asked this young man what he desired most and what request he would ask to receive of the Lord.

Solomon recognised that God had shown loving-kindness to his father, increased his kingdom, and fulfilled all the promises He made to the great king David. And so, we read that the young king Solomon requested "wisdom and knowledge," so that he would be enabled to rule God's great nation of Israel with integrity.

Just as an earthly father would have rejoiced to hear this wise request from the son he loves, so our Heavenly Father was delighted that Solomon made so prudent a choice, and God not only granted him the wisdom and knowledge he requested but also promised him unparalleled riches, wealth, honour, and long life.

As those who have been saved by grace through faith, we can recognise in Solomon's wise request, the things in life that are important to the Lord and the nature of the prayers and intercessions that should be offered, in accordance with His will.

Knowledge and understanding of the Lord Jesus and His Word should be high-up on the priority list of the man or woman who is growing in grace and maturing in the faith... and we have been promised that if any of us lack wisdom we should ask it of the Lord, for He gives generously and without reproach... BUT there is a condition. The man of God must ask in faith and not doubt the Word of the Lord, for the one who doubts proves himself to be spiritually unstable and is driven and tossed by every wind of change.

Solomon was a man who had observed God's faithfulness in his father's life and because He trusted in Him, the Lord heard and answered his prayer of faith in an astonishing way. Indeed, we read in Hebrews that without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe Who He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Although we delight to hear that as well as wisdom and knowledge, the Lord granted Solomon riches, wealth, power, and long life, there is a cautionary lesson we need to learn in this passage. Though Solomon trusted God, he had not 'proved' the Lord in the same difficult life-challenging circumstances that his father, David, had faced when enemies encompassed him on every side or when his sin consumed his peace of mind.

Later in his life, King Solomon allowed the accumulation of riches and his consummate power to divert his focus away from the Lord onto the vain things of this world - vain things that too often bring leanness to the soul. Although he ruled with God-given wisdom and knowledge, he dishonoured the Lord in certain areas of his life.

As we offer our requests to the Lord, may we pray into His will and continue to seek His counsel and guidance in all the decisions and duties of everyday life so that we will finish the challenges in our own life-race to the honour of God's holy name and for our eternal benefit.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the lessons we can learn from the life of Solomon and his judicious request for wisdom and knowledge. Give me the discernment to know Your will and to pray into all that honour Your name. Thank You that You have promised to provide all that I need for life and godliness and keep me, I pray, from being enticed by the things of this world. Help me to keep the eyes of my faith on Jesus, in Whose name I pray, AMEN.