“…the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?“ (1 Kings 3:5) This was while Solomon was WHOLLY DEDICATED to the Lord. We know that later on as Solomon married 700 wives and had 300 concubines, Nehemiah told the Israelites, “You shall not give your daughters as wives to the pagan sons, nor take their pagan daughters for your sons or yourselves. Did not Solomon king of Israel SIN by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless PAGAN WOMEN CAUSED EVEN HIM (Solomon) TO SIN.” (Nehemiah 13:25-26)
In response to Gods asking Solomon “What shall I give you?” “Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I AM A LITTLE CHILD; I do not know how to go out or come in. Therefore give to Your servant an UNDERSTANDING (shama`: to hear intelligently) heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil.” The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I HAVE GIVEN YOU A WISE AND UNDERSTANDING HEART, so that there has not been anyone like you BEFORE YOU, nor shall any like you arise AFTER YOU. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” (1 Kings 3:9-14)
Jesus made the following promises TO US, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be OPENED to you.” (Matthew 7:7) “If you remain joined to me and my words remain in you, ASK FOR ANYTHING YOU WISH. And IT WILL be given to you.” (John 15:7) “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask ANYTHING according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that WE HAVE WHAT WE ASKED OF HIM.” (1 John 5:14-15)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham