When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. . . .”1
Solomon was recollecting David’s teaching. Solomon started with the right heart. And was street smart. Upon David’s death Solomon sat on the throne of David his father.2 Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt.3 Oops! A skewed start?!
Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.4 Although he loved the LORD, Solomon had not yet discerned how to distinguish between good and evil; he compromised by adopting to the mores of the people’s traditions. He was immature and his mind had not been renewed.5
At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 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 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. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered . . . 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?”6
Solomon’s heart was right before God; he had the right motive. It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God not only agreed to his prayer; he favored him. I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.7
Solomon was tasked to build the LORD’s temple; and he did.8 During his youth Solomon worshipped the LORD.9 Yet as he grew in stature, the worldly success corrupted him. He loved many foreign women. Despite God’s clear command to Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, . . . for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.”10 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. . . . So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David has father had done. . . .11
Later Solomon would write, Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.12
Notes:
1. Proverbs 4:3-9
2. 1 Kings 2:10-12
3. 1 Kings 3:1
4. 1 Kings 3:3
5. Romans 12:1-2
6. 1 Kings 3:5-9
7. 1 Kings 3:10-15
8. 1 Kings 7:13-8:11
9. 1 Kings 8:12-66
10. 1 Kings 11:1-3
11. 1 Kings 11:4-8
12. Proverbs 3:5-7
