King Solomon Requests Wisdom

1 Kings 8:56–61 KJV 1900

Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the Lord, be nigh unto the Lord our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else. Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

Introduction

Three Wishes

Gather

• One Thousand and One Nights or "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp"

Show the book. One Thousand and One Nights is a collection of Asian folktales. You might be familiar with one of its most famous stories, "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp." Briefly explain the story to the students.

In the original tale, a poor young boy named Aladdin is tricked by a crafty magician. He is trapped in a cave. While in the cave, Aladdin rubs a ring, and a genie appears. The genie offers the boy anything he wants. The first thing the boy asks for is freedom from the cave. After exiting the cave, he discovers a tamp among some of the treasures he rescued from the cave. His mother rubs the lamp in an effort to clean it. Yet another magic genie appears. This time the boy wishes for food. The genie brings him tray after tray of delicious meats and fruits. Aladdin fell in love with a beautiful princess. He ordered the genie to supply him with great riches so he could impress her.

ASK: If you had a genie offer to do whatever you wanted, what would you ask for?

Genies are not real, but sometimes it's fun to pretend they are.

Transition to the Bible lesson.

In God's true Word, we learn of a real man named Solomon. He was David's son and the next king of Israel. God came to Solomon in a dream and offered to give him one request. Let's go to God's Word to find out Solomon's answer.

Adonijah's Rebellious Plan

King David was a man after God's own heart. He had reigned over all Israel for nearly forty years. The people loved their king because He followed after God, honored God, and made the worship of God top priority in his kingdom. God honored and blessed David.

As David grew older, he desired to build a permanent temple of worship. Until now, the people had always gone to the tabernacle for worship. David wanted to build a magnificent, beautiful temple to God. However, it was not God's plan for David to build the temple. God had someone else in mind. God spoke to David through the prophet Nathan. David spoke God's words to the leaders of Israel.

READ: 1 Chronicles 28:1, 3, 5, 6.

ASK: Who was present when David made this speech? (Al/ the rulers of

Israel, captains, the army, stewards/servants of David.)

ASK: David had many sons. Which son did God choose to be the next king of Israel? (Solomon.)

ASK: What would Solomon's main job be? (Build the temple.)

David was not getting any younger. His days of war and battles were coming to a close. He was ruling over Israel and enjoying peace throughout his kingdom. David knew that it was not God's plan for him to build the temple, but he still wanted to help and be a part of the preparations. David oversaw the drawing of the building plans, and he gathered much of the needed supplies that would be used in the construction. It probably brought David great joy to see the wood and precious metals piling up. He could almost picture how glorious God's house would be.

The years passed and David grew old and sick. Soon he could not even get out of his bed. Adonijah, David's oldest living son, decided to take advantage of the situation. He wanted to be king instead of Solomon. Perhaps he felt like he deserved it. After all, he was the oldest living son of King David. Certainly he knew his younger brother, Solomon, was God's choice for king (1 Kings 2:15.) But that didn't stop Adonijah. He let pride and selfish ambition fill his heart. He ignored God's will and came up with his own plan.

Just like his older brother Absalom, Adonijah built up a great following of Israelites. He gathered fine horses and fancy chariots and hired fifty men to run before his chariots to proclaim his greatness. Then he got Joab, the army general, and Abiathar, the priest, to join his side. He invited many of Israel's leaders and all his brothers and sisters to a party. However, Adonijah did not invite Solomon; the high priest, Zadok, or David's faithful friend and prophet, Nathan. Adonijah didn't want them to know what was going on. At the celebration, Adonijah proclaimed himself king of Israel!

What were all these people thinking? Didn't they remember David's speech a few years ago? Didn't they remember God's words to David, "Solomon shall sit on the throne?" Where was Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Solomon?

David's Obedient Appointment

It didn't take long for word to get back to David's palace. Nathan the prophet heard what was going on. He spoke to David's wife Bathsheba about the problem. Bathsheba was Solomon's mother. She knew this situation was against God's will. She went straight to her husband, King David.

1 Kings 1:18–20 KJV 1900

And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not: And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called. And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

David was ill, but he still had the strength to do what was right.

1 Kings 1:29–30 KJV 1900

And the king sware, and said, As the Lord liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, Even as I sware unto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.

David put his plan into action. He arranged for his son Solomon to ride the king's mule to Gishon with Zadok, the high priest, the prophet Nathan, and Benaiah, David's trusted personal guard. On the eastern slope of Mount Zion, Nathan and Zadok anointed Solomon king.

1 Kings 1:39–40 KJV 1900

And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.

Do you hear something?" Adonijah's guests asked. "What is that great noise coming from Jerusalem?" Was King David dead? Was a war beginning? Just then a messenger arrived.

"King David has anointed Solomon king over all Israel!" the messenger declared. 'I l saw him myself! He was riding the king's mule with Zadok and Nathan! It is all true. Solomon sits on the throne!"

The party guests became afraid. Suddenly they realized that if they were caught bowing to Adonijah, they could be charged with disloyalty to the king and hanged! The party ended abruptly as all the guests quickly went home. Adonijah went to the tabernacle for fear his brother would find out about his selfish plan and have him executed.

Solomon was a man of peace. He did not want bloodshed. He forgave Adonijah and they made peace. However, after David's death, Adonijah tried again to take the throne from Solomon. This was a clear act of treason against the king and rebellion against God. This time, Solomon ordered Adonijah's execution.

Solomon's Humble Request

David was buried in Jerusalem. The people mourned the loss of their beloved king. Now Solomon took full rule over Israel.

1 Kings 3:3 KJV 1900

And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.

ASK: How does God's Word describe Solomon? (As a man who loved the Lord, just like his father David loved the Lord As a man who obeyed God's word.)

One day, King Solomon went to Gibeon to pray and sacrifice to God. That night, God came to Solomon in a dream.

1 Kings 3:5 KJV 1900

In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

Can you imagine? God told Solomon to ask for anything he wanted! What an offer!

Solomon began his answer by praising God for His mercy and kindness. He thanked God for the incredible honor of being king of the Israelites. He admitted that he felt inexperienced. Solomon knew that being king was a great responsibility.

Solomon spoke his request to God. If he could have anything he wanted, he wanted only one thing. Would it be riches? A bigger palace? More land? Let's find out.

1 Kings 3:9–10 KJV 1900

Give 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? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

ASK: What did Solomon request? (Understanding heart. Wisdom to know the difference between good and bad; and how to rule wisely.)

ASK: How did God feel about this request? (He was very pleased.)

Solomon's request was very pleasing to God. Solomon did not ask for riches. He did not ask for power or fame. He asked for wisdom, the one thing he really needed.

God gave Solomon exactly what he asked for and more!

1 Kings 3:12–13 KJV 1900

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.

Because Solomon asked for God's wisdom and did not ask for riches or fame, God rewarded him with all those things. Solomon had so much silver that it became as common as stone in Jerusalem. He also had 12,000 horsemen, 1,400 chariots, and thousands of horses.

God was very pleased with Solomon's request. When we go to God in prayer, do we seek His way above all else? Or do we go to God with our wish list? Do we treat God like a Santa Claus and just read our list to Him? "Dear God, I want this and that. I'm going to do this and that, and I want you to bless me. And don't forget to give me this and that too."

Instead, God wants us to desire His wisdom and His way above all else. He would rather hear us pray, "Lord, I am your servant. What do you want me to do?"