God asked King Solomon: “Ask what you wish Me to give you.” (1 Kings 3:5) I wonder if God were to ask each of our presidential candidates (and even all the candidates in the forthcoming elections) the same, what would be their answer.
In those days, Solomon did not get to choose to run for the position. The people were not given the choice either. Even though they asked to have a king like other nations around them, it was God who chose Saul – the least of his tribe, Benjamin – the least of all tribes in Israel. God chose David, the youngest in his family, a shepherd boy. God told Samuel of David’s elder brothers: “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam 16:6) David is said to be a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). Solomon’s prayer in response to God’s question shows us his heart.
1 Kings 3:6-9
6 Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that 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 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?”
1) A heart for God: Solomon acknowledged God for who He is – great, loving and kind; for what He did – to his father David and to him – making him king.
2) A humble heart: Solomon knew himself – his limitations: he admitted he did not know what to do.
3) A heart for his people: Solomon realised the object of his great responsibility – to rule justly. And how to do that?
So he asked God for ‘an understanding heart to judge’ – to differentiate between good and bad. To be a king is to be a leader in justice and righteousness – to do right by the people according to God’s standard. To be just and right, to know good from bad, is only by the wisdom of God. Solomon was not self-serving. His motivation was pure – there was no one around. It was a prayer between God and Solomon alone. It was not uttered to impress anyone. So how did God answer his prayer?
10 It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. 14 If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.”
How I wish God would choose for us a president like he did with David and Solomon… men with a heart for God; men after God’s own heart. But God works in different ways at different times. Today, He gives us the choice. So what do we do? How do we pray?
Lord, you have given me the freedom to choose. Yet, I am but a little child. I do not know how to discern after your own heart. So give me an understanding heart to know between good and bad. I pray that you grant a heart of wisdom to the president (and leader) who prays to you for an understanding heart – to lead our country in true justice and righteousness. Only you know the heart of man. Only you see their inner thoughts and motivations. What we see and hear are cluttered with human frailties and clouded by unreliable prejudices. We lament our plight of having to choose from the least of all evils instead of the best in all good. Show us Lord how to choose wisely a man after your own heart.
But if any of us lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5). In faith, hope and love, we claim this promise in the name of Jesus – our true and just king, Amen.
