3:1 In 2 Samuel 7:13, God promised to love Solomon; He promised to discipline Solomon as well, as any good father would. Solomon decides to marry the Pharaoh of Egypt's daughter and we see some of David's mistakes in his son. God advised His children not to marry outside of the faith, not because it is an exclusive club, but because when we are not surrounded by our faith, we tend to forget it (1 Kings 11:1-4). It was a custom during this time for royal lines to marry; marriage created allies across regions. But God never taught us to live by the world's way. It is not a sin for Solomon to marry outside of the faith, but it will eventually cause him a personal crisis in faith.
Solomon begins plans to build two homes: one for himself, and one for God.
3:2 People are sacrificing to God in the "high places" because there is not yet a designated place to do so. David once wanted to build a home for God but God explained that it would be Solomon who would build the place of worship. Through and with David, God reestablished the twelve tribes of Israel. Together, they brought them back together and secured their place on the earth as well as their faith. With that work accomplished, a permanent place of worship for God could be built.
3:3 We learn that Solomon, despite his mistakes, truly loves God. David gave Solomon advice on how to rule and he follows it (we read in the previous chapter how closely he actually follows it). And this is why God ensured the kingship for Solomon: unlike David's other sons, Solomon is willing and eager to love and follow God's will.
3:4 Solomon travels to Gibeon to make a sacrifice to God in the great high place (again, there is not yet a centralized place of worship, just many smaller high places).
3:5 God presents Himself to Solomon in a dream: "Ask! What shall I give you?" Solomon has recently become king over the tribes of Israel; it would be easy for him to boast about his position or ask, in arrogance, for more prominence. What he chooses to ask for in this moment will define his character.
Although we often neglect to realize or answer, God asks each of His children the same question (John 14:13-14). For God wants to bless us. Though He knows what is best for us, it pleases Him to have open communication with us; He loves to hear our hopes and dreams. He loves to contemplate our answers to His question and then customize their delivery into our lives. Because God knows that it is not necessary what we ask for that matters... what matters is why we ask for it. We reveal our heart when we ask for answer.
3:6 This is where Solomon truly sets himself apart as a child of God. This is where Solomon reveals his heart. Because Solomon uses this opportunity to make a selfless request. Before making his request, Solomon thanks God. Solomon has acknowledges God's generosity and steadfast support in his life and he is grateful.
It is so important to have a well-rounded relationship with God. We must not be so focused on the blessing that we forget the journey. God delivers grand blessings into our lives but in between, he constantly delivers the smalls ones. The ones that make all the difference in the details of the journey.
3:7 After exalting God, Solomon pours out his humility. He feels inexperienced in his position as king; he compares himself to a small child. He admits that he does not know how to handle his new responsibility. So many before Solomon never cared about or even considered whether they were qualified for the responsibility. Those people lusted for power and prominence so much that it did not occur to them to wonder if they were worthy of it. But Solomon is not content to rule as he is, he feels inadequate.
3:8-9 Solomon is grateful for his position but overwhelmed. Therefore, rather than make a selfish request, Solomon asks for the capacity to care for all of the responsibility God has given him. A stunning request! God is so willing and able to compensate for our inadequacies if with that power we have righteous intentions.
Solomon asks God how to properly and fully love and lead the people surrounding him. He asks God how to discern from good and evil in order to protect them. That is precisely how you ask for something in God's name, John 14:13-14: And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Whenever we ask God for something, we should ask ourselves whether what we are asking for is rooted in the same soil as Solomon's request. Are our intentions born out of desire or compassion? Do we make a request that will benefit more than just ourselves? We must remember that God knows how to bless His children and loves to do so, Luke 12:13! He knows what we need better than we do, Matthew 6:8. Like He has done for the people in this Bible, He will enthusiastically fill our lives to bursting with blessings. We do not need to ask for things for ourselves because when we sincerely ask for things for others, God takes care of us. If we are busy taking care of others, God is busy taking care of us, Luke 6:38.
Life can be so chaotic: externally and internally. Fear and anxiety cause us worry... most often about ourselves. It is a natural response of our body. But is is also a black hole of suffering. God asks us to work with Him and learn to remove the fear and anxiety. To trust Him to provide the path, provision and protection we need to endure (and even enjoy) life. For if we can trust that our path, provision and protection is ensured, we can focus on living generous, selfless lifestyles. If we worry about anything, Solomon teaches us, worry about taking care of the people who need it. Because if we are trusting children of God, we do not need to worry about ourselves, we can remove it from our conscious! Our needs are taken care of.
3:10 Solomon's request warmed God. We make God so happy when we step into the image of compassion He made us in.
3:11 God's response to Solomon is further support of the truth that our selfless generosity inspires God to absolutely stuff our lives with blessings:
The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
Solomon receives what he asks for and more! But our compassion must be genuine. We are given to in order that we may give. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 reminds us that God loves cheerful givers. People who give not to earn points for themselves but because their heart yearned to fill a need another person had.
If Solomon is willing to remain with God, God promises a long life. We have so much potential for good here! So much opportunity for it through our faith. If we are willing and eager fellow-workers with God, we do great work while we are here. Solomon did not ask for honor or riches; his reputation did not matter. He had one simple request: to adequately do God's will.
When we make that request the central point, motivation, hope and destination of our lives, we begin to speak God's love language.
3:15 Solomon wakes from his dream and immediately worships God. He worships before the blessing, during the blessing and after receiving the blessing. Invite God into every moment. Every breathe and thought and heartbeat. Be as present with Him as He is with you. He is listening, He is answering, He is providing.
3:16 As king, it is Solomon's responsibility to settle matters between the people. A difficult case is presented to Solomon: two women approach him with a disagreement over the parentage of a baby. These women are not married and therefore, their stories cannot be supported by their spouses; it is one woman's word against another.
3:17 The first woman explains that she and the other women live in the same house. While at home, she gave birth to a baby.
3:18 On the third day, she claims, the other woman also gave birth to a baby.
3:19 But the second woman's son died overnight.
3:20 So, the tells Solomon, the second woman whose child died, woke in the night and took her baby.
3:21 The first woman woke to find the baby who died in her bed. But after examining him, she noticed that the child was not hers. She tells Solomon that the women switched the babies.
3:22 At this point, the second woman (accused of the crime) denies switching the babies. She claims that it was the other woman whose baby died.
3:23 This situation gives Solomon an opportunity to utilize the wisdom he asked for from God. Solomon anticipating such moments as these, moments when truth is obscure and a solution even more so. Solomon does not know these women; clearly one woman is telling the truth and determining which one is crucial.
3:24-25 The wisdom Solomon received from God is the ability to discern a sincere and compassionate soul. Solomon has an idea, he intends to force the women to reveal their true hearts by making a horrible declaration. He tells each that he will kill the child, divining the body and therefore allowing each woman an opportunity to bury her child.
3:26 Immediately one of the women cries out, yearns with compassion, to save her baby. She pleads with Solomon not to kill the child and to allow the other women to keep him. Her outcry reveals that winning the disagreement is not important to her; she only wishes to protect her child. Even if it means giving him to the other woman.
The other women thinks Solomon's decision is fair. This reveals that she has a jealous and corrupt heart. She does not truly care about the child.
3:27 Solomon's idea worked. Based on each of their reactions, he decides that the baby belongs to the first woman. He orders the baby to be kept alive and given to her.
3:38 Solomon's God-given ability to discern truth in this situation is met with awe and appreciation. People begin to see God working with Him as he leads their nation. Although Solomon asks for wisdom rather than honor, the righteous manner in which he leads earns him both.
3:17 The first woman explains that she and the other women live in the same house. While at home, she gave birth to a baby.
3:18 On the third day, she claims, the other woman also gave birth to a baby.
3:19 But the second woman's son died overnight.
3:20 So, the tells Solomon, the second woman whose child died, woke in the night and took her baby.
3:21 The first woman woke to find the baby who died in her bed. But after examining him, she noticed that the child was not hers. She tells Solomon that the women switched the babies.
3:22 At this point, the second woman (accused of the crime) denies switching the babies. She claims that it was the other woman whose baby died.
3:23 This situation gives Solomon an opportunity to utilize the wisdom he asked for from God. Solomon anticipating such moments as these, moments when truth is obscure and a solution even more so. Solomon does not know these women; clearly one woman is telling the truth and determining which one is crucial.
3:24-25 The wisdom Solomon received from God is the ability to discern a sincere and compassionate soul. Solomon has an idea, he intends to force the women to reveal their true hearts by making a horrible declaration. He tells each that he will kill the child, divining the body and therefore allowing each woman an opportunity to bury her child.
3:26 Immediately one of the women cries out, yearns with compassion, to save her baby. She pleads with Solomon not to kill the child and to allow the other women to keep him. Her outcry reveals that winning the disagreement is not important to her; she only wishes to protect her child. Even if it means giving him to the other woman.
The other women thinks Solomon's decision is fair. This reveals that she has a jealous and corrupt heart. She does not truly care about the child.
3:27 Solomon's idea worked. Based on each of their reactions, he decides that the baby belongs to the first woman. He orders the baby to be kept alive and given to her.
3:38 Solomon's God-given ability to discern truth in this situation is met with awe and appreciation. People begin to see God working with Him as he leads their nation. Although Solomon asks for wisdom rather than honor, the righteous manner in which he leads earns him both.
