What Do I Know?
“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.” I Kings 3:7
When Solomon was given the throne of Israel by his father David, there was some contention in the family. His brother wanted to be king, but quickly recognized that Solomon was decreed by God to rule over His people. It made it a little easier to swallow, but it was still a contention, and one that ultimately ended in his death.
Solomon recognized that his father, David, had left the nation in somewhat of a mess. David had family problems and paid more attention to the erring ways of his wicked sons than he did to the needs of the nation. Idolatry had been winked at and was growing more rampant among the people. Even Solomon was infected with it.
Solomon went about his work as king completing the palace, the temple and the wall around the city. He had issues, but he was willing to deal with them. But, in doing so, he quickly realized that he knew little about ruling a nation. He needed help and he needed it right now.
He turned to God, like a little child and said, “I don’t know what to do.” “…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?”
God was pleased with Solomon. He could have asked for money and power, but instead, he asked for wisdom. Money and power cannot buy good decisions. Wisdom gives them as a gift. Solomon is held up as the wise man of the Bible, all because he realized that he needed God’s wisdom to rule in God’s way.
What do we know? Who are we to believe that we can operate on our own knowledge or power? How can we make good choices and attend the work God has given us to do without first asking Him for wisdom and guidance? After all, the world is in the mess it is in now because of the choices and plans of men. Isn’t it time that the covenant believers of God seek His ways, His will and His wisdom to right this wrong?
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5