2 Chronicles 1:7-12: a reflection

7That night, God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for what you want me to give you.” 8Solomon said to God, “You have shown great loving kindness to David my father, and have made me king in his place. 9Now, LORD God, let your promise to David my father be established; for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 10Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of yours?” 11God said to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor yet have you asked for long life; but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king, 12therefore wisdom and knowledge is granted to you. I will give you riches, wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you, and none after you will have.”

God appears to the young king Solomon and makes an astonishing offer: Ask what I shall give you. Solomon could have asked for anything, riches, long life, victory over his enemies. But he asks instead for wisdom and knowledge to lead God's people well: Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of yours? And God, pleased with the request, grants him wisdom, and adds riches and honor besides.

Notice what Solomon asked for, and what it revealed. Offered anything, he asked not for what would benefit himself, wealth, long life, the defeat of his enemies, but for wisdom to serve God's people well. His request revealed his heart: that his deepest desire was not for his own gain, but to do well the task God had given him. And God was pleased, for what we most desire, and would ask him for, reveals what we truly value.

That prompts a searching question: what would you ask God for? What we most deeply want, and would request of God if we could ask anything, reveals our hearts. Do we most want comfort, wealth, success, the removal of our troubles? Or do we want, as Solomon did, wisdom to serve God well, to do his will, to be faithful in what he has given us? Ask God for what truly matters, as Solomon did, not first for selfish gain, but for wisdom to serve him and do his will. Let your deepest requests be shaped by what truly matters, and know that God is pleased with the heart that asks not for selfish things but for wisdom to serve him well. What you ask him for reveals your heart; ask for the things that matter most.

Lord, when you offered young Solomon anything, he asked not for riches, long life, or victory over his enemies, but for wisdom to lead your people well; and you, pleased with the request, granted it, and added more besides. His request revealed his heart, that his deepest desire was to do well the task you had given him. Prompt me with the searching question: what would I ask you for? What I most deeply want, and would request of you if I could ask anything, reveals my heart. Do I most want comfort, wealth, success, the removal of my troubles? Or do I want, as Solomon did, wisdom to serve you well, to do your will, to be faithful in what you have given me? Help me ask you for what truly matters, not first for selfish gain, but for wisdom to serve you and do your will. Let my deepest requests be shaped by what truly matters, and let me be one whose heart asks not for selfish things but for wisdom to serve you well. Shape my desires, Lord.