If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?
This was a question posed to Solomon in the old testament. Knowing what he asked for may surprise you.
Solomon was King David’s son and after David’s death, Solomon became the king of Israel. When Solomon took the throne after David’s death, God appeared to him in a dream and asked him what he wanted. Solomon told God that he wanted wisdom so he could govern Israel fairly. All he asked for was wisdom.
God was very pleased with Solomon’s response and he granted him this wisdom. And because he asked for wisdom instead of fame or riches God also gave him these as well (1 Kings 3:10-14). Solomon is famous for being one of the wisest and wealthiest kings in world history.
He was extremely blessed during his lifetime as king. Solomon became so famous that people from all around the world would come to his palace to sit under his teaching or to just see the man for themselves.(See 1 Kings 4:34)
He wrote much of the book of Proverbs from his God-given wisdom as well as the book, Song of Songs. Solomon is also known for building the great Temple. The temple took seven years to build and was worth over half a billion dollars in today's money. This temple stood for around 500 years until it was eventually destroyed by the Babylonians.
Unfortunately, for centuries Israel would go back and forth between serving God and sinning against God. Eventually, their worship became so muddied that even the people who thought they were worshipping God were doing it in vain. That is until Jesus came on the scene. Jesus reshaped the way people thought about God. Jesus showed them that God wasn’t found through the law but faith, and anyone who put their faith in Jesus, who is God, would have eternal life.
So be encouraged today, God hears your prayers, just as he heard Solomon in 1 Kings. Pray for the big things. Pray for the little things. Pray for your family. Pray and pray some more. Oh, and don't forget to pray for wisdom!
We serve a God who answers prayers and will bless us greatly when we seek him first.