The Worshiper (1 Kings 3:2–15)

Solomon is remembered as the king during whose reign the temple was built. His alliance with Hiram, king of Tyre, gave him access to fine timber and skilled workmen. But he also built his own palace, which seems to have consisted of living quarters plus “the house of the forest of Lebanon,” where arms were stored and displayed, the Hall of pillars, and the Hall of Judgment. He also built a house in Jerusalem for his Egyptian princess wife. Official state visitors were overwhelmed by the splendor of these structures. During Solomon’s reign, the outward splendor and wealth of Israel only masked an inward decay that led eventually to division and then destruction. Solomon certainly made a good beginning, for he “loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father” (v. 3, KJV); but a good beginning doesn’t guarantee a good ending.

I. Consecration (vv. 2–4).

2 Meanwhile the people sacrificed at the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days. 3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. 4 Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.

A. God purposed that the people of Israel have a central place of worship.

God did not want the Israelites to imitate the nations in Canaan by building “high places” wherever they chose. When Israel entered the land, they were instructed to destroy these “high places” and the idols that were worshiped there.

Until the temple was built and centralized worship was established in the land, the people of Israel worshiped the Lord in the “high places.” In time, the phrase “high place” began to be used to mean “a place of worship” and the Jews worshiped Jehovah at these temporary shrines.

B. Gibeon was such a sacred place, for the tabernacle was located there.

As a first step toward the construction of the tabernacle, David had moved the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, but the rest of the tabernacle, including the altar of sacrifice, was still at Gibeon, located five miles north of Jerusalem. Solomon assembled the leaders of Israel and arranged for them to go to Gibeon with him and worship the Lord.

This event would not only be an act of consecration but it would manifest to the people the unity of the nation’s leaders. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings to the Lord as he and his officers together praised the Lord and sought His face. The burnt offering pictured total dedication to the Lord.

II. Revelation & Petition (vv. 5-9).

5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” 6 And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

A. Solomon heard the Lord say, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

The assembly lasted all day and the people remained at Gibeon for the night, including King Solomon who was given a remarkable dream from the Lord. David had both Nathan and Gad as his counselors, but there seems to have been no prophet in Solomon’s circle of advisers. Twice the Lord spoke to the king through dreams.

The Lord’s command and question were a revelation of God’s grace as well as a test of Solomon’s heart. What people ask for usually reveals what they really desire, and what they desire depends on how they envision their life’s calling. Had Solomon been a warrior, he might have asked for victory over his enemies; but he saw himself as a youthful leader who desperately needed wisdom so he could adequately serve God’s chosen people.

B. Solomon’s prayer was brief and to the point, and it was spoken with true humility.

Solomon reviewed the past and thanked God for the faithfulness and steadfast love shown to his father. Solomon acknowledged God’s goodness in keeping his father through many trials and then giving him a son to inherit his throne. Solomon moved into the present and acknowledged God’s grace in making him king. But he also confessed his youthfulness and inexperience and therefore his desperate need for God’s help if he was to succeed as Israel’s king.

True wisdom involves skill in human relationships as well as the ability to understand and cooperate with the basic laws God has built into creation. Wise people not only have knowledge of human nature and of the created world, but they know how to use that knowledge in the right way at the right time. There are many people who are smart enough to make a good living but they aren’t wise enough to make a good life.

Solomon asked God to give him “an understanding heart,” because no matter how smart the mind may be, if the heart is wrong, all of life will be wrong. True understanding comes from hearing what God has to say. When the Lord speaks to us, it’s not that we might study and pass judgment on what He said, but that we might obey it.

III. Approval & Obligation (vv. 10-15)

10 The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 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, 12 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. 13 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. 14 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.” 15 Then Solomon awoke; and indeed it had been a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, offered up burnt offerings, offered peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

A. God was pleased with Solomon’s request for wisdom.

It showed that the king was concerned with serving God and His people by knowing and doing God’s will. God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him. When you read the Book of Proverbs, you find that the love of wisdom and the practice of discernment can lead to these extra blessings.

The Lord was careful to remind Solomon that his obedience to God’s covenant and his devotion to the Lord were the keys to his future blessings.

B. Solomon returned to Jerusalem.

When he went back to Jerusalem, he went to the tent that housed the Ark and there offered more sacrifices. The Ark represented the presence of God among His people and the rule of God over His people.

Solomon acknowledged the sovereign rule of God over his own life and the life of the nation. In other words, Solomon knew that he was second in command. It was when he started to forget that basic truth that he got himself into trouble.