Topical Bible: Solomon: His Prayer for Wisdom, and his Vision

◄ Solomon: His Prayer for Wisdom, and his Vision ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Prayer for Wisdom

Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, ascended to the throne of Israel after his father, King David. His reign is notably marked by his request for wisdom, a defining moment that set the tone for his rule. This event is recorded in 1 Kings 3:3-15 and 2 Chronicles 1:7-12.

In 1 Kings 3:3-4, Solomon is described as loving the LORD and walking in the statutes of his father David, though he offered sacrifices at the high places. It was at Gibeon, the most significant high place, that Solomon made a substantial offering of a thousand burnt offerings. That night, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, saying, "Ask for whatever you want Me to give you" (1 Kings 3:5).

Solomon's response is a testament to his humility and understanding of the immense responsibility he bore as king. He acknowledged the steadfast love shown to his father David and recognized his own inexperience, referring to himself as "a little child" who did not know how to carry out his duties (1 Kings 3:7). Solomon's request was profound: "Give Your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?" (1 Kings 3:9).

The LORD was pleased with Solomon's request, as he had not asked for long life, wealth, or the death of his enemies, but for discernment in administering justice. God granted Solomon unparalleled wisdom and discernment, promising that there would be no one like him before or after. Additionally, God bestowed upon him riches and honor, ensuring that no other king would compare to him during his lifetime (1 Kings 3:10-13).

Vision

Solomon's vision, as recorded in 1 Kings 9:1-9 and 2 Chronicles 7:11-22, occurred after the completion of the temple and the royal palace. The LORD appeared to Solomon a second time, reaffirming His covenant and the conditions for its fulfillment.

In 1 Kings 9:3, the LORD said to Solomon, "I have heard your prayer and petition before Me. I have consecrated this temple you have built by putting My Name there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there for all time" . This divine assurance underscored the significance of the temple as the dwelling place of God's Name and presence among His people.

However, the vision also contained a solemn warning. The LORD reminded Solomon of the necessity of obedience, urging him to walk with integrity and uprightness, as David had done. The promise of an enduring dynasty was contingent upon Solomon's faithfulness and adherence to God's statutes and commands (1 Kings 9:4-5).

Conversely, the LORD warned of the consequences of turning away from Him, serving other gods, and forsaking His commandments. Such actions would lead to Israel's removal from the land and the temple's destruction, becoming a byword among all peoples (1 Kings 9:6-9).

Solomon's prayer for wisdom and his subsequent vision highlight the centrality of divine wisdom and covenant faithfulness in his reign. These events underscore the biblical theme that true wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD and that the blessings of God are intricately linked to obedience and devotion to His commands.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 3:5-14
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give you.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 1:7-12
In that night did God appear to Solomon, and said to him, Ask what I shall give you.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Great Gain of Godliness
... This one instance of Solomon's resources should be connected with the other details
of ... made to him as part of the reward of his prayer for wisdom, that he ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the great gain of godliness.htm

A Young Man's Wise Choice Op Wisdom
... wise before, he had not known the worth of wisdom. ... are but trash and rubbish unto
it.' Solomon's prayer shows the temper with which he entered on his reign ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a young mans wise choice.htm

The Transfiguration
... all the magnificence with which Solomon and the ... the prophets, and all other wisdom
and righteousness ... there; nevertheless, Christ did not listen to his prayer. ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xv the transfiguration.htm

Solomon's Repentance
... should learn that in watchfulness and prayer is the ... temptation, even the wise and
powerful Solomon was vanquished ... can never with safety trust in his own wisdom ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 5 solomons repentance.htm

The Work is Taken up after a violent Interruption, which Has ...
... peace which was in his days, for Solomon means peaceful ... enemy assailed us with all
bitterness by his new writings ... May God hear my prayer and grant that the body ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/1 the work is taken.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... by the message from heaven that his prayer in behalf of Israel had been heard, Solomon
now entered ... to seek his presence, "to hear his wisdom, that God ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

How Christ Appeared to Brother John of Alvernia
... sons of St Francis, who, as Solomon says, form ... praying at the feet of Christ his
prayer was granted ... corporal presence of Christ had disappeared, his mind was so ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xlix how christ appeared.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... that glorious light which descended at Solomon's prayer of consecration ... the multitude
of his wives, and Solomon went far ... his Proverbs of Christ in His Church as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

On the Death of his Father.
... sense she has rivalled the horse-leech [3232] of Solomon, by her ... upon a staff, imitates
Moses upon the mount, arranges his feeble hands in prayer, and in ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xviii on the death.htm

On his Father'S Silence, Because of the Plague of Hail.
... and gains and schemes, like Solomon's horseleach [3174 ... the spiritual sacrifice,
[3180] or by prayer and reasonable ... hairs of a father interceding for his children ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xvi on his fathers.htm