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?” (I Kings 3)
Somehow Israel survived the time of the judges to transition into the leadership of kings. It was not long before the third king, David's son Solomon, was overwhelmed with the challenge entrusted to him. As the passage goes on to explain, Solomon did not ask for himself great wealth or a long easy life, or power at the expense of others. He asked for wisdom. He humbly considered himself a servant. He walked and talked with God and asked for advice, decision-making ability, a true sense of right and wrong. Those are things all of us could benefit from, whatever our place of responsibility. They all cry out: "Lord, I need your help! You have put me here at this time, in this place, for your reasons. Help me do what you want done, how you want it done, and for your glory. My life and its purposes are Yours."
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