A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON KING SOLOMON AND OUR OWN INHERITANCE
I have been in pursuit of finding examples of human weakness in the Bible in order to discover more of and to put my focus on the magnificence of God rather than on people. God did commend Solomon for asking for wisdom rather than wealth, honor or the death of his enemies, and because God was pleased with Solomon’s request, God gave Solomon much more than wisdom. Still, I asked God to shed a little human light on Solomon’s life for me.
God showed me that people don’t typically ask for what they already have.
Romans 8:24-25 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
David was a warrior; Solomon was the son of a warrior. So, while David shed blood fighting, Solomon inherited what his father shed blood to obtain. Solomon had not endured what his father endured (persecution of King Saul for years while living in caves, hunted by King Saul’s army, having to kill to survive). When we don’t shed blood for what we receive, and we merely inherit it, there exists the likelihood that we may not appreciate the cost.
If nothing else, we surely don’t ask for a house and money when we are already receiving a house and money, for example. God showed me that David gave Solomon great wealth; it was a given. David fought hard and worked hard for many years, and he was leaving his legacy and all his wealth to Solomon. God graciously showed me that Solomon didn’t ask for more riches because he was already inheriting all his father’s riches, in part anyway. Sure, God was pleased with Solomon, and I am still impressed that King Solomon asked for wisdom rather than more riches, but, I am thankful that God showed me that we don’t typically ask for what we already have. This revelation makes King Solomon a little more tangible for me in my present day.
Chick Filet Founder S. Truet Cathy’s children don’t have to ask for ownership in the franchise because (if it is set up in Mr. Cathy’s will), they will receive it by birthright. If I already have a car that runs well, I don’t pray for another car that runs well. But, if I am a single mom who has a car that is broke down, I will pray for a car that runs well. If I am a soldier on the battlefield, I may ask for courage to die if necessary. If I am a student, I may ask for knowledge and understanding. If I am a mom of triplets, I may ask for an endless supply of patience and energy to get through the day… and on and on and on.
2 Chronicles 1:11-12 God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches 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, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."
And to Solomon’s credit, he knew that these were God’s people (not his), and he would need wisdom to manage with excellence what God gave him. While I am thankful for this revelation about Solomon, God has provided a deeper revelation. I bet you picked up on it: Just like David shed blood to win territory and Solomon could have fallen prey to lethargy and an ungrateful heart because he did not have to fight as David fought, so too can we be tempted to not appreciate Christ’s sacrifice of the blood for us on the cross.
May you and I be children of God who inherit the Kingdom of Christ, not having shed blood ourselves, but daily professing our thanks to God and to His Son, Jesus Christ for the territory of eternity.
A Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, I pause right now to pray that You would provide me with wisdom. I also pray that you would protect me from my own ignorance, arrogance, and pride. Please reveal the things in me and around me that attempt to rob me of the inheritance of a victorious life lived through the power of Jesus Christ within me. I thank You for Your sacrifice. May all I think, do, and say be for your glory today. In Jesus’ mighty Name, Amen.”
Kristina Seymour loves to encourage and equip women through the Word and through community. She is the author of The Warrior Mom Handbook, The Warrior Mom Leadership Manual, and The Warrior Wife Handbook; they are available at Amazon.com. Kristina's Bible studies are for women who desire to live by faith in the midst of their everyday lives. She has learned that women can't survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; women in the Word and in community are united and able to stand firm. To learn more about Kristina, please visit her website, https://kristinaseymour.com/. God loves to share His story of love and grace through us all, and Kristina believes that everyone has a story to tell.
Originally published Tuesday, 02 July 2019.
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