Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (OTA)

1 Kings 3:3-15

³ Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. ⁴ And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. ⁵ At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” ⁶ And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. ⁷ And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. ⁸ And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. ⁹ Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

¹⁰ It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. ¹¹ And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, ¹² behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. ¹³ I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. ¹⁴ And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

¹⁵ And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

Solomon is praised for asking for understanding. He asked for understanding, unsure of himself and what God would do. But he was certain of what God has done for him. No matter the answer he was already King, he was already walking in faithfulness. So one can easily argue Solomon had no personal wants, but to serve God's people.

How often do you pray for yourself? How often do you pray for those close to you? How often do you pray for strangers? Most of the time our prayer lists start with our own desires. They continue with family safety and health. Then we move on to faith struggles of friends. Beyond that we pray for whatever God may put in our head. Are these what fills your prayer list?

Somebody told me that our prayer list is almost longer than our membership. Another told me we pray for more people than attend on Sunday. These lead to the comment, why don't we just put everyone on the prayer list? Why don't we?

Solomon's prayer was for the people to have a good leader, yeah he was the leader. But he did not feel up to the task God had assigned to him. Do you feel up to he tasks God has given to you? Well let us pray for that. Jesus is there to forgive our failures. The Father is their to listen to all your problems, even those your mother doesn't want to hear anymore. The Holy Spirit is here to give you understanding, and strength.