2 Chronicles 1
Scripture 2 Chronicles 1:11-1211 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”Observation Solomon was now seated on the throne of his father King David and had taken the role of King. His father had passed away and he inherited a great number of people. He had listened to his father's instructions. God was pleased with Solomon and told him he could ask for whatever he wanted. Solomon felt the weight of responsibility and asked the Lord for wisdom. Understanding Gratitude and humility are always the correct response. First, Solomon responded to God with gratitude.2 Chronicles 1:8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Second, with humility. 2 Chronicles 9 Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”Solomon may have been around 20 years old when he took the throne. He was young and maybe it was obvious that he told God he was a child but it's so much more common to see an arrogant 20 something that knows everything instead of being filled with humility. I definitely was! There was clearly a difference with him. Solomon’s brothers tried to just take the throne. They never asked their father or waited to be anointed by the prophet, they thought they should be king and took it. God was so pleased with Solomon’s request as we read in 2 Chronicles 1:11 that he not only answered his request but gave him more than he could have imagined.God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”Application Gratitude and humility are always the correct response. I'm so grateful that he made a way for us to enter into his kingdom and bless us with all that we have no matter how big or small.Recognize the responsibility of the task that God gives to us. Matthew 22:36-40 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’Father show me how to love you the way you deserve to be loved. Holy Spirit empower me to love my neighbor, especially the ones that make it so difficult! Oh the weight of the responsibility to LOVE God, our neighbors, and ourselves! This is just one example on how to apply this to our lives but the truth is that there is the weight of the responsibility to parent or to be a spouse according to God’s standards and commands. How about an employer or an employee? The list could go on.Pride corrupts our true condition,we are mere humans in desperate need of God! Instead let's put on humility. We don’t and can’t possibly know everything. Let’s remain teachable remembering that God is making us into the image of his Son.
Seeking the kingdom of heaven and all His righteousness pleases the heart of God...that should always be our goal!
Deborah Lee