A Wise Choice. 1 Kings 1-7

A much-used conversation starter question asks 'What would you do if you had a million bucks?' A slightly less common, but maybe more interesting, question, that I heard somewhere but can't remember who to give the credit to, is 'What would you do if you had a million ducks?' I mean, what would you do? You'd have to figure out how to keep them fed and sheltered, and then what? Personally, I would exchange some of the ducks (at whatever the going rate is) for a goose, and then have the world's most epic game of Duck Duck Goose.

God's question for Solomon was even greater than what he would do with a million bucks or ducks, but what he wanted in all the world. "Ask what I shall give you" He could have had whatever he wanted, fame, money, power; but instead he asked for what he needed. What do you need to lead a nation well? Understanding. Knowing the people. Knowing the difference between good and evil. Solomon realised that he didn't have a clue what he was doing. "I don't know how to go out or come in" He knew that he needed to get this wisdom.

God was pleased with Solomon's choice, blessing him with abundance in other areas of life and leadership as well. I think there are two main reasons for this. One, Solomon's request was not selfish, focused only on what he could get for himself (riches, long life, the deaths of his enemies). It was focused on other people, the people of Israel. These people are a) God's people, chosen and delivered by God b) Solomon's people, as the members of his inherited kingdom, and c) Solomon's mission, in that he was born for the purpose of ruling them.

The second main reason Solomon's choice pleased God was that it trusted God to provide the most basic thing that he needed. I mean, he could have a long life but still be an ineffectual leader, have all the riches in the world but be poor towards God, and be the last king standing but still be an unworthy king. But what he needed to govern and live well was wisdom, and he relied on God to give it to him.

Solomon's choice was not a once-off (though its magnitude likely is). James (1:5) writes If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach. When we know that we need God, both for wisdom and for our other needs, and we ask, trusting him to provide, God does provide. What do you need, who do you need it for, and what do you need to ask God for?