April 13th

April 13th -- 1 Kings 3:1-15 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%203:1-15&version=NLT)

Solomon asks for wisdom

Solomon makes and alliance with the Pharaoh of Egypt, marrying one of his daughters. He brings her to the City of David as his palace and God's temple weren't done being built. Even though the temple was unfinished, people were sacrificing, just at various local worship places.

Solomon loved God and he followed all David's decrees (aside from where to sacrifice, as he could not in the temple yet). The most important worship place was Gibeon. Solomon went one time and made 1,000 burnt offerings. That night, God appeared to Solomon in a dream, asking him what he wanted, and saying it would be given to him. Solomon says that God has been faithful by putting him on the throne. However, he is "like a little child who doesn't know his way around." Solomon basically asks for wisdom, so that he may be a good ruler for his people. God is pleased with this. Since Solomon asked for that, God says he will receive that and riches and fame. He also will be given a long life if he continues to obey God, as David did. Solomon then wakes up and realizes it was a dream. He goes back to Jerusalem, to the Ark of the Lord's Covenant, and sacrifices burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he invites his officials to a banquet.

Okay, we've ALL heard that question of "If you had a lamp, with a genie, and got only three wishes, assuming you can't ask for more wishes, what would you wish for" For most of us, our first idea's gone - more wishes. We can't think of three things to narrow it down to. Or if we do, we're all "World peace, no more famine, and a cure for cancer" to seem like such great people. We all want that answer to make us look great... Then here we have Solomon. He's talking to God, who he knows can see exactly what's going on in his head. He'd know if Solomon were to lie to try and act like the oh-so-great guy. Yet, he asks for wisdom, and God is so pleased that He gives him that and more. He wants it to be a good leader for his people - a good king. THAT is VERY selfless. Like, it makes me wish I were always that selfless, that if God came down and gave me whatever I asked for, I wouldn't ask for something for myself, but something instead that would help others. I'm gonna' be pushing myself to be less self-focused and more selfless, like Solomon, so if I had one wish only, I'd use it not for myself.

Well, that's all! God bless! Shalom!