Many are often fascinated that 20 year old King Solomon asked God for wisdom and discernment - not riches, the demise of his enemies or long life, but wisdom (1 Kings 3: 6-9). However, we fail to take notice of the seed King David, Solomon's father, planted in Solomon's life while he was still alive.
David wanted desperately to build a temple for the ark of the Lord, but God told him that he had shed too much blood and that his son would build a temple for Him instead (2 Samuel 7:8-16, 1 Kings 5: 3-5, 1 Kings 8: 17-19). David was so excited that God had personally promised that one of his own offspring would build a permanent house for the Lord and that his kingdom would go on forever. He was so zealous to please the Lord that he began planning for the building of the temple in his own lifetime. He appointed workers, drew up the building plans and even collected the supplies. He put aside gold, silver, bronze, wood and stone in huge quantities in preparation for the building of the temple (1 Chronicles 22).
Now let's consider this deeper. When God told David that his son would build the temple did he sit contented with this promise and turn his attention to renovating and expanding his palace? No, he began getting the supplies in order to aid his son. Hear that? He began getting the supplies ready to aid his son. He was preparing for the next generation not only via conveying instruction, but by observable, measurable action.
David left his son a road-map. He gave his son a push. He gave his son a start. He didn't just tell Solomon what God said and leave him be - he helped him by using his own time and resources while he was ALIVE, ABLE and IN POWER.
Now back to why we should credit David's parenting for why his young son asked God for wisdom, of all things a young man could ask for. David sat Solomon down and told him the story of how God had chosen him (Solomon) to build the temple. David told Solomon of the plans he had devised in preparation for the temple and ENCOURAGED Solomon to be "strong and courageous", to not be discouraged although the work seemed so important and intensive (1 Chronicles 28:20).
David gave Solomon detailed instructions and essentially scared the poor boy - even outright telling him that he was "young and inexperienced" (1 Chronicles 29:1). Imagine teenage Solomon thinking:
"This is so important to my father. He keeps telling people that this is MY job. Oh my, this is such a great responsibility! Dad has taken so much time to prepare. His instructions are so specific. What if I mess up? Father is dying. He won't be with me as I complete this. What do I do? Who shall I turn to? Oh Lord I need WISDOM!"
So just by David planning and preparing and showing Solomon by action and word how important this project was, he was able to instill in Solomon the seriousness of this project. He showed his son how to prioritize, plan and get things DONE.
Not only did David afford Solomon the gift of relying upon his own planning, but he also taught Solomon to rely upon the Lord - the one who had pulled him from a mere chaser of sheep to a ruler of a kingdom. So then who would be able to direct Solomon after the death of his father? Who could provide him with knowledge to know in every circumstance, "What would my father do?" Who but the very one who instructed and leaded his own father.
So don't be surprised that a 20 year old who was new to the throne and the power that automatically came with being a king asked the almighty, all powerful, all knowing God for wisdom and discernment. As far as he was concerned he was already rich. His father had already secured him safety and rest from his enemies. All he needed was the direction from the father he lost and who better to provide that than the one who had directed his father? So no, don't be shocked. Don't sit and wonder, "Well, why did Solomon do that? Was he just trying to get on God's good side?" Instead, credit Solomon's stunning request to his willing heart, listening ear and the wise and wonderful counsel, preparation and parenting of his father.
Be a great father. Be a David.
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| My father, Bill, with myself ( center) and my siblings. |
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