Solomon Was Wise Before He Was Wise

Yesterday morning, while reading 2 Chronicles chapter 1 I ran across a couple of things I had never seen before. First, that Solomon was wise before God gave him even more wisdom, and secondly, he received his extra dose of wisdom from God because he was not like his daddy, King David. Allow me to explain.

In verse 7 of chapter 1 we read where God came and visited Solomon and told him to ask for whatever he wanted. I don't know about you, but that part would have freaked me out on two levels - that God Himself would show up and then that I could ask for whatever I wanted. Solomon went on to praise God for what he had done for his dad and then he asked for wisdom to lead the people God had entrusted to him.

In verse 11 God told him that there was 4 reasons that he was going to give him the wisdom he did ask for as well as everything he didn't ask for - wealth, riches and honor. The interesting part comes in the 4 reasons God gave - (1) wisdom was Solomon's true heart desire, (2) he did not ask for wealth, riches and honor (no pride involved), (3) he did not ask for a long life, and the one that struck me the most, (4) he did not ask for the death of his enemies. This, in direct contrast to his dad, King David, who by the way, was a man after God's own heart. Numerous accounts of David, in the book of Psalms, can be found asking for God to destroy his enemies and wipe them off the face of the earth.

There is no indication that Solomon even hesitated or told God that he would have to go and think about it. He knew immediately how to respond because it was his heart that spoke. Of course, God already knew the answer that Solomon would give, hence the reason for the Divine visit in the first place. God knew Solomon's heart before He said anything to him.

So how did Solomon acquire this attitude of humility and forgiveness? I don't know but there is a lesson here for me, and us - It was only after Solomon had the wisdom and heart to ask for the right thing from God that God blessed him far beyond what he asked for. The fact that he did not ask for vengeance upon those who hated him and were trying to harm him should speak volumes. The contrasting truth to be gained here is that if I harbour ill-will toward anyone, God will not bless me - at least as much as He wants to.

I wonder what the Bible would have recorded about the life of Solomon had he asked for death to his enemies, riches and a long life - all things that would have brought him comfort and peace.

I think Solomon knew that if he had God's wisdom that he would be able to handle his enemies correctly, that money and riches would not be a challenge and that a long life would certainly follow a wise one.

I wonder what my own immediate reaction would be if God were to appear before me and ask me what what it is I wanted most. I fear sometimes that my answer would be self-serving. I think that most people would immediately think about themselves and their own comforts. I pray that God would be able to search my heart and not find it wanting in my true desires.

God keep reminding us that it's not about us but all about You!