Solomon’s Gracious Gift

Read 1 Kings 2-3
 
1 Kings 3:3 Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.
 
1 Kings 3:11-14 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.”
 
1 Kings 3:14 “And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”
 
OUR prior lesson looked at God’s grace to form and anoint Solomon to be king. Here is even a more personal act of God’s grace into Solomon’s life. He grants the gift of discernment – wisdom – to Solomon to care for his people. Solomon’s wisdom request is humble because he realizes his immaturity. Solomon humbly requests God’s counsel to lead the nation. How different our nations and world would be if our leaders had such desires.
    Verses 3 and 14 are separated because they remind us again God does not choose perfect people to his mission. Solomon obeyed God’s law except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. The worship in high places is a continual sin in Israel as it points to worship of nature and idols. This is a sin that affects Solomon throughout his life.
    Then note in verse 14 God points Solomon to obey my statutes and commands as David your father did. This is fascinating! After all, Solomon’s life is a stark reminder of David’s sins rooted in his affair with Bathsheba. And graciously, it is a reminder of God’s merciful forgiveness. After the son of the illicit union died, David accepted the LORD’s judgment. Then Solomon was born to David and Bathsheba. The redemptive power of God is clear. Out of darkness comes the light when we are contrite to confess, “I have sinned.” Once again, we see an example of how God uses sin as a tool to turn our hearts to his saving grace.
    Our Lord looks upon our sin; then he graciously gifts us with the knowledge of God. With faith on our lips, we confess. The Lord redeems us from the pit. Confessing in God’s power and forgiven in God’s power, we are anointed to serve in God’s power.
 
Psalms 103:2 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.