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MAKE A WISH. I Kings 3:4-15. 04/10/2022. #9
4 Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” 6 And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 Therefore give to Your servant an [a]understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” 10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 13 And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. 14 So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen[b] your days.” 15 Then Solomon awoke; and indeed it had been a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, offered up burnt offerings, offered peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
1. Offerings at Gibeon
a. The Great High Place was at Gibeon
a1. The Gibeonites were not Jews
a2. Josiah 9 Joshua was tricked into making a covenant with the Gibeonites
a3. Gib. became hewers of wood and bearers of water for the Tabernacle
a4. Gibeon = located NW of Jerusalem
a5. Seven male descendants of Saul were executed by Gibeonites in revenge for Saul slaughtering Gib. men
b. Shortly after Solomon ascended the throne, he offers 1,000 sacrifices to the Lord @ Gibeon
a1. Thanksgiving and dedication offerings
a2. Solomon beseeches the Lord for blessing
2. God makes an offer
a. Only place in Scripture where God gives someone an open-ended offer to grant a wish
a1. Ask whatever he wants
a2. Solomon is special to the Lord (2 Samuel 7:13)
b. Solomon begins well
a1. He asks for discernment to rule Israel
a2. Solomon admits that he is immature
a3. Solomon thanks God for grace to David/him
c. Sol. is unsure of himself and the task is great
a1. Fear, doubt, and uncertainty bring humility
a2. Once Solomon gains confidence, he loses his humility
a3. Self-confidence can bring pride
d. God is pleased with Sol.’s request
a1. Solomon did not ask for riches, long life, or victories
a2. An open-ended offer is tempting
e. God not only grants Sol. wisdom, but wealth and security as well
a1. Sol. now has both his needs and wants
a2. To have all power, wealth, and understanding = a great temptation
a3. Wisdom = discernment and understanding (will is still free to act wisely or not)
3. Solomon = a study in privilege vs. prudence
a. Saul had started out well also until power went to his head (became mad with pride and glory)
b. Finishing well= better than starting well
c. Philippians 4:9-12 Paul had to learn to be content
d. The sudden acquisition of dominance and prosperity cannot be successfully handle by most
people (Hollywood stars, politicians, celebrities)
a1. Requires maturity and thankfulness
a2. Responsibility to use influence for Lord
e. Once Sol. obtained fame, he focused on self
a1. Forgot why he asked for discernment
a2. Solomon used his subject, not helped them
f. Philippians 2 one cannot focus on self and others at the same time as a priority
g. Wisdom can be used for justice or scheming h. Sol. makes a feast and set the tone for his reign