One common lesson which I have come across several times from the word and the testimonies of others is that we need God (John 15:5; Philippians 4:19; Philippians 4:13). And one thing I have learnt is that when something is repeated a lot, it’s important. We need to come to that place of realization that we need God for everything. He is the strength in our bodies, our ability to work and He is our very breath. Without Him, we cannot live. We need to fully understand that we are nothing without Him. It is when we lean on our own understanding is when we find ourselves in trouble.

Solomon recognized this, and that seems to be why God blessed him with such great wisdom.

1 Kings 3:3-15

Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 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?”

God tells Solomon to ask for a blessing, and Solomon humbles himself and admits that he cannot govern God’s great nation. So, he asked God to give him the understanding to discern good and evil so that he can govern the people well.

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

This account tells us that God was pleased because Solomon asked for understanding to discern and not for long life, riches, or the death of his enemies. God gave Solomon what he asked for and even much more. He gave Solomon a wise and discerning mind, and there never was and never will be anyone as wise as Solomon. Additionally, God gave Solomon riches and honour; God goes on to say that if he walked in God’s ways, like his father, David He would lengthen his days.

I note two main things here. Firstly, I note that Solomon, the chosen King, son of David, who probably was the greatest Israelite at that moment, was humble enough to recognize and admit to God that he was like a little child. Little children are dependent on their parents for life’s essentials. They, in most cases, would die without the care and guidance of parents. And so, Solomon was saying that he needed God; he needed God’s wisdom to know what was good and evil, to know how to rule over the people and to be a good King.

Secondly, I note that God was pleased with what Solomon asked. It pleased Him that Solomon did not ask for the typical riches and honour. It pleased Him that Solomon’s request was ultimately for the people and not a selfish request which benefited himself only. And God greatly rewarded him for this.

Similarly, God wants us to recognize we need Him. He wants us to become humble beings who rely on Him for our discernment. He wants us to think of others first, and just as He loves us, we should love each other and want the best for the people around us. Just as we are saved by God and have hope, we should want this for all those around us.

So, I leave us with these questions to ponder:

1. What are we doing to help the people around us see God and understand that they need Him?
2. If God asked you like He asked Solomon, what would be your request?

All photos were taken by Kyle or Vani. These photos are from the many adventures we have been blessed to experience together. We are so grateful for every blessing from God. No filters were used nor were the photos edited except for an occasional crop. We hope you enjoy.