Dec 17, 2020 0 Comments Jeff King

Good answer

The speech pleased the LORD (1 Kings 3:10)

The word “pleased’ in our English translation does not fully reflect the impact of Solomon’s conversation with the God of Israel. The Hebrew rendering for pleased, yatab, is more expressive: beautiful, sweet, joyful. Visiting the newly-crowned king of Israel in a dream, the LORD offers to give him anything he desires. We get to eavesdrop and hear Solomon’s tender reply:

I am 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 numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people? – 1 Kings 3:7-9

Solomon’s answer so moves God that He not only makes him the world’s wisest king, He gives him what he did not ask for: riches and honor. Solomon chose wisely as a young ruler, and so can we. We don’t have to be a king to ask the King for understanding and a heart to serve Him. When we humble ourselves, as Solomon did, we have His undivided attention.