Not long after the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon, the narrative continues, "And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee" (1 Kings 3:3-5, KJV).
In reflecting on this portion of text, one cannot help but notice two important characteristic of Solomon at the time: he loved the LORD and continued to live in the God-honoring ways of David his father. Being in right standing with God and offering burnt offerings unto Him during the time of worship caused God to show supernatural favor to Solomon. He appeared to him in a dream and asked, "What shall I give thee?"
It is important to note that this took place in Gibeon where Solomon had gone to worship, because in a number of ways it reflects God's pleasure with true worship. Of course, there is no true worship without obedience to the Word. It is often in an atmosphere of trust, obedience, and worship, that God ministers to those who delight themselves in Him. The Psalmist reminds us, "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and [H]e shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psalm 37:4). Because God moves in so many ways, He may not come to us in a dream but we can rest assured that wherever we are and as long as we are walking in His ways, He comes to us in that atmosphere of anointing and asks, "What shall I give thee?"
What are you believing God for? Solomon asked "an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" We are told "And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days" (vv.9-14).
The LORD favored Solomon and so reaffirmed that "no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11). How are you walking?
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