Pam Padgett ... teacher
After David died, God was with Solomon and he was strengthened in his
kingdom. Solomon and all the people went to Gibeon where the brasen
altar was before the tabernacle of the congregation. Solomon offered
1,000 burnt offerings on the altar.
2 Chronicles 1:1 1 And Solomon the son of David was strengthened
in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him
exceedingly. 2 Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of
thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in
all Israel, the chief of the fathers. 3 So Solomon, and all the
congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for
there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the
servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. 4 But the ark of God had
David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had
prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. 5
Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur,
had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the
congregation sought unto it. 6 And Solomon went up thither to the
brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the
congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.
That night God appeared to Solomon asking what Solomon wanted God to give him. Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to judge the people of God, over whom God had set Solomon. Solomon asked for what would help him do according the will of God.
2 Chronicles 1:7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and
said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. 8 And Solomon said unto God,
Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to
reign in his stead. 9 Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my
father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the
dust of the earth in multitude. 10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge,
that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this
thy people, that is so great?
Because this was is what was in Solomon's heart, rather than riches,
wealth, honor, the life of his enemies, or long life, God granted him
wisdom and knowledge. And, even more than he asked, God also gave
Solomon riches, wealth, and honor.
2 Chronicles 1:11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in
thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the
life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked
wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over
whom I have made thee king: 12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto
thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none
of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there
any after thee have the like.
This reminds me of what Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus. Paul asked
God to grant several wonderful things to those who believed there, things that would strengthen and establish them in the faith. And
then Paul told that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we
ask or think ...
Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth
is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his
glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and
grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is
the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love
of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the
fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.