This is probably one of the more well-known passages in the Old Testament. After Solomon becomes king, God appears to him in a dream and offers to give him whatever he asks. Solomon, displaying unusual wisdom for a young man, asks for more wisdom, “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?” (3:9, ESV). God must have known that Solomon’s request would be an honorable one, because God made no such offer to the other kings of Israel.
Jesus issues a similar invitation in the Sermon on the Mount, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you … How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:7, 11). James also says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). Do we take God at his word and ask for the wisdom he desires to provide? Often our approach is to do what seems best in our own eyes and hope that God will stop us if we’re straying out of his will. Sometimes we don’t bother to pray, search the Scriptures, or seek godly counsel because we either think we know what is best or we don’t think it is that important. I can think of many leadership failures even in our denomination that could have been avoided if people had truly sought God’s wisdom before acting.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints” (Prov. 2:6–8). May we be slow to act but quick to seek God’s wisdom!
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” (Psalm 111:10).
Dawn C. Rutan
