Could Solomon have asked something better?

[ravindran]

This is an amazing story in 1 Kings chapter 3. I do not know if I am the only one who feels Solomon could have asked something better  I always like to compare Solomon to David. Both were blessed kings, father and son. Solomon asked "discerning heart to govern people". I wonder if this was the right thing to ask for Solomon. Nevertheless, God was pleased with what he asked. God did grant him wisdom like no one else. He also granted him something he did not ask for. Wealth and honor. But God placed a third conditional blessing. If Solomon walked in obedience to God, he would have long life. I wonder if this is what made the difference between David and Solomon. While David struggled every now and then, he asked Lord to create in him a clean hear. He asked Lord to fill him with His Spirit. He knew he cannot do it himself. While Solomon asked something good, was it the best? Should Solomon have asked for an obedient heart? Lord might have been more pleased and granted him that along with wisdom, wealth and honor  

⁷ “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. ⁹ So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” ¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. ¹¹ So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, ¹² I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. ¹³ Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. ¹⁴ And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

[coheir]

It appears God was pleased with Solomons choice. If God is pleased then thats all that matters. isnt it?

[Denadii]

40 minutes ago, ravindran said:

This is an amazing story in 1 Kings chapter 3. I do not know if I am the only one who feels Solomon could have asked something better  I always like to compare Solomon to David. Both were blessed kings, father and son. Solomon asked "discerning heart to govern people". I wonder if this was the right thing to ask for Solomon. Nevertheless, God was pleased with what he asked. God did grant him wisdom like no one else. He also granted him something he did not ask for. Wealth and honor. But God placed a third conditional blessing. If Solomon walked in obedience to God, he would have long life. I wonder if this is what made the difference between David and Solomon. While David struggled every now and then, he asked Lord to create in him a clean hear. He asked Lord to fill him with His Spirit. He knew he cannot do it himself. While Solomon asked something good, was it the best? Should Solomon have asked for an obedient heart? Lord might have been more pleased and granted him that along with wisdom, wealth and honor  

⁷ “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. ⁹ So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” ¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. ¹¹ So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, ¹² I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. ¹³ Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. ¹⁴ And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

Can you think of a single thing better than wisdom?

Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Edited September 7, 2017 by Denadii