“You’ve got proven nice and steadfast like to your servant my father David as a result of he walked earlier than you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of coronary heart towards you, and you’ve got saved for him this nice and steadfast love, and have given him a son to take a seat on his throne right now. And now, O LORD my God, you will have made your servant king rather than my father David, though I’m solely a bit of little one; I have no idea find out how to exit or are available. And your servant is within the midst of the individuals whom you will have chosen, an ideal individuals, so quite a few they can’t be numbered or counted. Give your servant due to this fact an understanding thoughts to manipulate your individuals, in a position to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your nice individuals?”
Background
Following Adonijah’s demise, Solomon handled another points that his father had requested of him. Due to their roles in Adonijah’s rebellion, he banished the priest Abiathar, had Joab executed, and confined Shimei to Jerusalem for all times. Whereas some may query Solomon’s irrevocable actions, his shrewd and pragmatic rule is a distinction to David’s incapacity to take harsh actions in opposition to a few of his individuals, no matter their treason.
The author then tells us about a few of Solomon’s actions within the wider political realm. He made an alliance with Egypt and married the daughter of the Pharaoh to seal the treaty. Whereas this was a typical apply (to make sure constancy to the treaty), it violated the Mosaic legislation, for she was a non-Israelite. That is the primary occasion of this type of motion, and it may appear innocuous—maybe God allowed an exception as a result of it furthered His functions for the protection and prosperity of Israel.
Nevertheless, Solomon didn’t require his wives to apply the Jewish religion. They introduced their very own idols and continued their spiritual practices. This ultimately results in severe issues. Once more, we see nice promise turned to struggling as a result of God’s followers let energy and cultural practices affect them.
At this level within the narrative, although, all the pieces is sweet for Israel and her king. The author tells us that Solomon cherished God, adopted his instructions (although we all know he simply broke one), and infrequently sacrificed and worshiped at holy locations within the land. It’s at considered one of these events that Solomon provides the prayer above. At Gibeon, God got here to Solomon in a dream and requested him what he want to have. Solomon begins the prayer by recalling what God did for David (as a result of David was trustworthy and all the time sought God). Whereas not said instantly, that a part of the prayer is a thanksgiving.
Which means
A lot of the prayers we have now studied have been of 1 kind, however a couple of mix several types of prayers into one. A lot of these sometimes start with a thanksgiving or reward, like this one. This thanksgiving additionally features to arrange Solomon’s petition—what God did for David is why Solomon asks for what he does.
The second a part of the prayer can be a prelude to the petition. It’s an implied confession: Solomon says that he’s younger and he doesn’t know a lot. But right here he’s, the king of a nation. This nation is not only any individuals, however God’s individuals, and Solomon is to steer them. Maybe we’re stunned at Solomon’s insecurity after the various situations of his robust management, however he suspects that management is not only a matter of shrewd and decisive choices.
Now we arrive on the petition itself and the reply to God’s query. Solomon asks for an “understanding thoughts.” The Hebrew phrase right here (lēḇ šōmēaʿ) has the sense of with the ability to decide and dispense correct justice, which is sensible as a result of the King was the ultimate court docket of enchantment for any choice—an historic model of a Supreme Courtroom. He additionally asks for the power to discern between “good and evil,” one other essential attribute for somebody who’s accountable for bringing justice to a neighborhood. God is so happy with Solomon’s request that he not solely grants it however says he’ll additionally give him riches and honor as a result of his thoughts and coronary heart are in the appropriate place. He additionally guarantees him a protracted life, if Solomon will merely hold alongside this path. Will Solomon try this? We will see.
Instantly following the prayer and God’s response, the author provides us an instance of the knowledge that Solomon has been given: he decides to listen to the case of two prostitutes (regardless of their social standing) in a dispute over which is the true mom of a child. His knowledge is proven in that he understands {that a} true mom would slightly undergo loss herself than have her little one die—a false mom wouldn’t go to such lengths, since she has nothing to lose. This story exhibits that God answered Solomon’s prayer for knowledge.
Software
This prayer teaches us two issues that we are able to apply to our personal prayers. The primary comes from the construction of the prayer. We will use this mannequin of thanksgiving-confession-petition. Quite than merely asking God for what we’d like, we are able to start by thanking Him for what he has already given us, then confessing our want and incapacity. If you happen to can join the thanksgiving and the confession because the grounds for the petition, all the higher. This can be a wealthy approach to broaden our prayers past easy petitions. It permits us to attach with God on a number of ranges in prayer.
Second, we are able to flip to this prayer once we pray for our political leaders, directors, and judges, as we’re referred to as to do (1 Tim. 2:2). We will ask that God endows them with a thoughts that may perceive what justice means and find out how to carry it out, and to request that they have the ability to discern between good and evil (which appears easy, however typically isn’t in a fancy and various society). Whether or not the leaders are believers or not makes no distinction, for God is anxious about all the world, together with those that don’t observe Him.
- See Deut 7:3; see additionally 1 Kings 11:1-6. ↩
- See 2 Sa. 14:4-17; 15:2; 1 Ki. 3:16-28; Ps. 72:1-4. ↩
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