Chapter 151. 1 Kings 3. Solomon’s Dream
SOLOMON’S enemies were all dead; they had received their due reward. All was peace in the kingdom of Israel. The king married the daughter of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and brought her to Jerusalem while he was building his house, and the Lord’s Temple, with the wall round about Jerusalem.
Solomon loved the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, David. But one thing he did not do—he did not destroy the high places where the people sacrificed.
When the heathen nations were in the land they raised high places with groves of trees upon them, and there they offered sacrifices to their idols. While the children of Israel knew there was but one God, and that he had told them that Jerusalem was the only place where He was to be worshiped, yet they imitated their heathen neighbors and built high places also, and in these groves, they burned incense and sacrificed unto the Lord. This could not be acceptable unto Him, but in His grace, He bore patiently with them. Solomon himself fell into the same sin; but God’s goodness did not forsake him.
One day, while in such a place at Gibeon, the Lord appeared to him in a dream in the night time, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give thee.” How kind God was to promise Solomon to give him what he asked! Should he choose riches, or possessions, or honors? No, he wanted what was better than these. He knew that worldly things must soon pass away; he must have something he could never lose. He said that the Lord had been so very kind to David, his father, and had allowed his son to sit on the throne of His people, such a great people! He, Solomon, was very young and ignorant, and did not know how to teach the people, therefore, what he wanted most was a wise and understanding heart, that he might discern between good and evil. God was well pleased with Solomon’s request. He had chosen the best thing, heavenly wisdom, not worldly possessions. God said because he had not asked for long life or riches, or vengeance upon his enemies, God would grant his wish. Wisdom and understanding he should have, so that there never was, nor would be, anyone as wise as he. But more than this, the things Solomon had not asked would be his also, both riches and honor, more than any other king before or after him. And if he continued to walk in God’s ways as his father, David, had done, God would also give him long life.
When Solomon awoke, he found it was a dream. But how happy he felt now! God was with him. He had heard his prayer and promised to bless him!
We all need wisdom; we are poor, weak, ignorant creatures, with a heart naturally away from God. How can we then become wise? “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding, for it is better than silver or gold.” (Prov. 3:1313Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. (Proverbs 3:13).) “Get wisdom,” Solomon says, “get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom.” (Prov. 4:5-85Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. (Proverbs 4:5‑8).) “The fear of the Lord,” said also this wisest of kings, “is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Prov. 9:1010The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10).)
Will God give us holy wisdom as He did King Solomon? Yes. We are told by the Apostle James in his letter, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (Jas. 1:55If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5).)
Let us therefore ask for this heavenly wisdom and knowledge of God as revealed in Jesus Christ. It will make us happy forever. “Ask, and it shall be given you.” (Matt. 7:77Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (Matthew 7:7).).
ML 01/30/1916