1Ki 3:5-13 | KingComments | STEP | The LORD appears to Solomon in a dream. That is not a direct revelation, it is somewhat covered, but still clear. Possibly Solomon made that great sacrifice to ask the LORD a question. God comes to him in a dream, when he sleeps. His senses are closed to the prickles of his surroundings, so that God’s access to his spirit can be all the more free and immediate. In this way God usually spoke to the prophets ( ) and also to others to reveal His will to them ( ). These Godly dreams undoubtedly differ from the usual dreams of people caused by busy activities ( ). The LORD takes the initiative and says in the dream to Solomon that he may ask what he wants and that He will give him what he asked. This is a great challenge. If that question were put to us, what would we answer? This question is indeed put to us by the Lord Jesus. He says to us that He gives us when we ask Him ( ; ; ). Do we ask Him what we want?

‏ 1 Kings 3:5-13

The LORD Appears to Solomon

The LORD appears to Solomon in a dream. That is not a direct revelation, it is somewhat covered, but still clear. Possibly Solomon made that great sacrifice to ask the LORD a question.

God comes to him in a dream, when he sleeps. His senses are closed to the prickles of his surroundings, so that God’s access to his spirit can be all the more free and immediate. In this way God usually spoke to the prophets (Num 12:6b) and also to others to reveal His will to them (Job 33:14-15). These Godly dreams undoubtedly differ from the usual dreams of people caused by busy activities (Ecc 5:3a).

The LORD takes the initiative and says in the dream to Solomon that he may ask what he wants and that He will give him what he asked. This is a great challenge. If that question were put to us, what would we answer? This question is indeed put to us by the Lord Jesus. He says to us that He gives us when we ask Him (Mt 7:7-8; Jn 14:13 ; Jn 16:23; 1Jn 5:15). Do we ask Him what we want?

What Solomon Asks for

Solomon gratefully acknowledges all that God has given David and made him king as the son of David. He acknowledges his dependence and his inability to perform that great task. As to himself he feels helpless, young and inexperienced – he is less than twenty years old here – while he sees the people as a great crowd to govern. In the first place he does not think of himself, but of the people as God’s people. He says he stands “in the midst of” God’s people. The true leader is not above God’s people, but is part of them (cf. 1Pet 5:2a).

Solomon asks for wisdom (2Chr 1:10), because this is what is needed when there is a question to distinguish between good and evil. Wisdom is not having a good intellect. Wisdom is applying knowledge at the right time and in the right way. Solomon had a wise father who pointed out the importance of wisdom to him (Pro 4:3-9). It is more important to pass this on to our children than to give them a good education (cf. Isa 7:15).

In Job 28 it also is said what wisdom and understanding is: Fear the LORD on the one hand and turn away from evil on the other (Job 28:28). Wisdom is the part of the mature (1Cor 2:6a), that is the spiritual mature (Heb 5:14). When a person has learned to avoid evil and to follow the good, he is mature.

What Solomon Gets

A prayer like Solomon’s is good in the eyes of the LORD. Solomon did not think of himself in his prayer. He did not ask for things that are pleasing to himself, but for something that is important for the good of the people. He has prayed in accordance with the LORD, with what is really important to Him and these are the interests of His people. Therefore He also gives what Solomon did not ask for, the less important (cf. Mt 6:31-33).

The condition of obedience is set to have a long life (1Kgs 3:14). Solomon did not comply with that. He went against the king’s law by taking many wives (Deu 17:17a) and therefore died at a relatively young age.

When Solomon is awakened from his dream, he offers offerings to the LORD out of gratitude for the answering of his prayer. The burnt offerings speak of the fact that all honor belongs to God. They speak of the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross as completely devoted to God. Its application to us is that we also completely dedicate our lives to God. The peace offerings show that we know that we are in fellowship with God’s people to serve God together with them and to glorify Him.

Solomon made a special feast for all his servants.