1 Kings 3:1-15

Solomon Asks for Wisdom

1 Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and married his daughter. He brought her to the City of David until he finished building his palace and the temple of the Lord, and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places, because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the Lord. 3 Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.

4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.

He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.

Prayer for the Day

Father God, Solomon saw himself as not knowing how to carry out his God-given duties. So he prayed for wise heart to lead him in knowing right from wrong. I too pray for a wise heart, an ability to recognize right from wrong, and a strength to follow the right course, leading myself and others in Your path. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Church Prayer

Lord Jesus, when it comes to us living as Your body, we don’t know who serves as hands or feet, who serves as eyes or ears. Whatever roles we play, let us work together as Your body. We collectively submit to You as our head, agreeing to work as one unit, united in Spirit and mission, to the glory of God our Father. In Your name we pray.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, individually, we pray that You give each of us a heart to know You and a desire for You above all things. Help each of us to believe that we have a necessary place in the body, agreeing to work with each other united in Spirit and mission under Your leadership. Let us each live to the glory of God our Father. So I pray. Amen.