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1 Kings 3:1-16 – Praying through the Bible #108 – A Prayer for Wisdom
“Little Big League” is a movie about a 12 year old kid inheriting the Minnesota Twins from his grandfather. He fires the manager but no one else wants to manage under a 12 year old. So he assumes the job on the advice of his friend: “It’s the American League! They have the DH! How hard can it be?” In a fictional move, this is the making for a comedy. If based on real life this would be a disaster film.
The rabbis say 12. Josephus says he is 14. Solomon calls himself “a youth” (1 Kings 3.7). This “youth” inherits a kingdom and probably for political reasons gets married to the daughter of the king of Egypt (3.1). Unsurprisingly, he is overwhelmed and knows it, which is good. Too many, regardless of age, delude themselves into thinking, “I can handle this” emphasis on the “I.”
Yahweh asks Solomon the question of a lifetime: “Ask. What should I give you?” (3.5). Wisely, Solomon asks for wisdom. Already he possesses enough wisdom to know he doesn’t possess enough wisdom. As the saying goes, “the more you know, the more you know you don’t know.” Solomon responds, “You have shown great and faithful love to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and integrity. You have continued this great faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne as it is today” (3.6). Again this “youth” shows mature wisdom by knowing he is not “it!” Nothing he has is because of him. Everything he has is because of his father and His God. Solomon continues, “Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership…. So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between and evil. (3.7,9). Solomon shows such wisdom because he first listened to his father who, on his deathbed, advised, “Be strong and be courageous like a man, and keep your obligation to the LORD your God to walk in His ways … so that you will have success in everything (2.2). Solomon shows wisdom knowing he needs only one thing, God’s wisdom. Because of this, God gives Solomon riches, honor, long life and wisdom. Although possibly just a teenager, Solomon is already wise enough to know, he is not wise enough to know.
If you could inherit millions, or much wisdom, which would you choose? Pretentious Christians “say” wisdom. Pragmatic Christians “think” of all the good money could buy. Many “trust-fund kids,” athletes and lottery winners find themselves instant millionaires, and too soon too broke. To the undiscerning, it is harder to acquire wisdom than riches; and riches without wisdom, corrupt and disappear. It takes wisdom to know you do not have wisdom; and it takes wisdom to know you need it more than money, fame or long life. “How hard can it be?” The wise know it is much harder without God’s wisdom.
Prayer Challenge: Wisdom comes through knowledge of God’s word, life’s experience, and answered prayer. Start reading Proverbs, then pray the proverbs and live wisely.
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