August 6 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading:

1 Kings 3:5-15

⁵In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
⁶And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
⁷And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
⁸And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
⁹Give therefore thy servant 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?
¹⁰And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing.
¹¹And 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;
¹²Behold, 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.
¹³And 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.
¹⁴And 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.
¹⁵And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

Devotional:

Unlike Solomon, Absalom and Adonijah did not follow in their father's ways. David was, despite his sin, a man of God, and if all of his sons did not emulate him, young Solomon certainly did. Young Solomon was remarkably discerning. He knew the truth of the New Testament verse: 'The things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal' (2 Corinthians 4:18). And he chose from God the treasures that are eternal. Considering his palatial home and regal upbringing this is especially remarkable.

If a child in our home had such a choice, what would his decision be? Would he choose as Solomon did or would the materialism of the world about him warp his judgment? Are we careful not to complain overmuch about small salaries, inflation, taxes, inadequate housing? Are we unconsciously driving our children to seek a life in which the possession of a good income is the all-important thing? Are we fostering in them a determination not to 'suffer' as we did or do?

We would be dishonest not to comment upon the wealth that God granted Solomon. Although he did not choose it, he was granted it. Archaeologists believe they have discovered his horse-stables. The Queen of Sheba came from afar not only to hear his wisdom but to see his wealth.

The connection between his wealth and his defection in his latter years cannot be determined. One thing is certain, the wisdom God granted at his request was not directed to his marital life. This area, so important for his own spiritual life and the influence of his family, was an area in which the head wisdom which he possessed was not put into practice!

The young Solomon with his wise choice is an example of what we should do. The older Solomon in his weakness is an example of what we should not do.