An Understanding Heart

The Story

Solomon was a young man when he became king of Israel after his father, David. He went to Gibeon to worship and offered a thousand burnt offerings there.

That night, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask what I shall give thee.”

Imagine God saying that to you. Solomon could have asked for anything: riches, a long life, victory over his enemies.

Instead, Solomon was humble. He said, “I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.” He felt overwhelmed by the job of leading so many people.

So he asked, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad.”

The Bible says this request pleased the Lord.

God said, because you have asked for this, and not for long life or riches or the life of your enemies, “I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart.” And God added what Solomon didn’t ask for: riches and honor, so that there would be no king like him in all his days.

Solomon woke up and realized it was a dream. He went back to Jerusalem and worshiped before the ark of the Lord.

Reflection