"Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:9)

If you were asked by God what you would like, your heart's desire, what would you request? Solomon has answered God who has asked, "Ask what I shall give you." Solomon is young, but he is old enough to have a son at the time of this interaction. He tells God before he asserts his request that he is a "child," meaning he is a novice at best as king.

Solomon is the son of Bathsheba and David. While their marriage was made whole by God, Solomon has had to do some work to become king of Israel, including the eradication of an enemy of the throne from within his own family who laid claim to the royal kingship.

God grants Solomon's request and he is given "wisdom," a "hearing heart" in Hebrew according to the study notes. Solomon then famously resolves the issue of two women claiming an infant as each woman's own. He asks for the baby to be cut in half, to which one responds, "No, she's the mother." Solomon knew that a true mother would not let her baby die.

There are paintings dedicated to this event as well. One hangs in the Houston Museum of Art titled "Judgement of Solomon." When I saw the painting, I became fascinated with the story.

Back to the initial question that began the devotion...

What would we ask for if given an opportunity from God to request anything we wanted? I'd like to think I would ask for something that is a gift from God like "an understanding mind." Solomon, still young, knows he needs something to help govern Israel. Having been tested early by the brother's attempt to steal the throne, he is sharpened and knows better what he needs.

Solomon reflects on the request again in Psalm 72: "1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! 2May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice! 3Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! 4May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!"

Christ is our wisdom, as seen in Luke's gospel yesterday. May he guide us like Solomon was guided.

Pray with me:

Gracious God, I ask that you give me wisdom, a "hearing heart," to listen to you and allow your word to sharpen me. Through the fire of sharpening, may I better see what I need from you in life. Help me to know what you've given me and how to use these talents to better serve you and those around me. In Christ's name, Amen.