At that time the people of Israel sacrificed their offerings at local places of worship, for a temple honoring the name of the LORD had not yet been built. Solomon loved the LORD and followed all the decrees of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship. The most important of these places of worship was at Gibeon, so the king went there and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings. (1 Kings 3:2-4 NLT)
I don’t know if you think about this much, or ever for that matter, but how do you approach God when you have a question? Do you walk boldly in and ask the King of Kings your question or do you bring gifts first, hoping that our King will invite you in? Solomon seems to be trying the second option here. He brings in a lot of gifts (1,000) with the hopes of gaining an audience with his King.
That night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!" Solomon replied, "You showed faithful love to Your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to You. And You have continued Your faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne. "Now, O LORD my God, You have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn't know his way around. And here I am in the midst of Your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! (1 Kings 3:5-8 NLT)
Solomon was given his audience with the King and he began to dump everything in front of Him. Clearly Solomon had been thinking about this moment. Clearly he had something to say. Solomon felt out of his league. He felt overwhelmed. He felt insecure and unable to bear the responsibility on his shoulders. He felt “like a little child who doesn’t know his way around.” Solomon was king of Israel and knew he needed help. So, he asked The LORD.
Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern Your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of Yours?" (1 Kings 3:9 NLT)
How about you? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the calling that God has placed on you and your life? Do you seek an audience with the King when you do? When God gives you the opportunity to speak, do you know what you are going to say? Do you ask for wisdom?
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