Solomon, the richest and wisest king of Israel… Of his material and human resources, numbers could be given: daily supply of food, areas of land owned and ruled over, numbers of flocks, herds of cattles, horses, horsemen, deputies, even food for the animals – everything could be counted.
Do you know what did he have that could not be counted?
I Kings 4
29 Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.
Solomon is known for his wealth and wisdom. Wisdom likened to sand on the seashore! How wise of Solomon to ask for something that cannot be counted! And how paradoxical too… Solomon prayed:
1 Kings 3:7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. 9 So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
Asking in Humility:
1) Solomon knew his God v.7a: who he is..God is his Lord and his God. what he did…It is God who made him king.
2) Solomon knew himself v.7b: who he is.. a ‘little child’. what he knows not: I do not know which way to go. He saw himself as a servant of God.
3) Solomon knew his people v.8.. who they are…They are God’s people – people He has chosen… a great people too many to be counted..
4) Solomon knew his task v.9: to judge with wisdom – knowing between good and evil.
Humility is the state of mind – a recognition of who one is in relation to God and fellowman. It is thinking others are more important than oneself and believing that God alone suffices.
God was pleased that Solomon asked unselfishly. He asked with pure motive – to do his job well. So God gave him more than he asked.
To have wisdom like the sand of the seashore.. what a priceless and countless blessing.
Perhaps, it is because Solomon emptied himself before God – fully depending on Him that God filled it to the brim and even overflowing. How often when I think I am sufficient – that I know – it is in those times when I need to tell God – I do not know.. show me… give me wisdom.
