We all know that Solomon had several spiritual problems during his life. He did not end on a high note.
But he got off to a great start. He understood that he became king of Israel because of God’s mercy. The Lord appeared to him in a dream, and Solomon told Him that He had been merciful to his father David, and that that mercy was now shown to him. Solomon acknowledged that God had demonstrated great kindness to him (1 Kgs 3:5-6). Solomon knew he did not deserve what God had done for him.
Not surprisingly, Solomon was humble. He said his father had been a servant of the Lord (v 6). Then, Solomon called himself a servant of the Lord; he did this three times (vv 7-9). Even though he was the king, he humbly referred to himself as a little child before the Lord (v 7).
In the dream, the Lord asked Solomon what he wanted from Him. He would give His humble servant whatever he asked. It is a well-known story. Solomon asked for wisdom. Through this request, he was showing that he wanted to be a servant of God’s people, Israel. Solomon wanted this wisdom so he could judge between good and evil in matters involving God’s great people (v 9 Luke 12:31).
Solomon did not even call the people over whom he reigned “my people.” They belonged to God, and he wanted what was best for them.
We are told that God was pleased with Solomon’s attitude and request (v 10). That is not surprising. Solomon showed that he was a humble servant. As a result, the Lord gave Solomon what he asked. But He gave him even more, including riches and honor (v 13).
The spiritual lessons are obvious. The humble servant will have his prayers answered. He will ask for the things that please the Lord, and the Lord will give them to him. But he will receive even more.
In the NT, the believer is promised great rewards if he seeks to be a servant of both the Lord and others (Mark 10:45). But the Lord gives beyond what the faithful servant asks of Him (Luke 12:31). He is a generous Rewarder. The obedient servant will experience intimacy with the Lord that he otherwise would not. What kind of riches will that involve?
But the riches and honor will extend into eternity. The NT is full of teaching about wealth in the world to come. Jesus said that the servant will be great in the kingdom of God. Solomon received more than he asked for. So will the believer who serves the Lord.
Solomon was known for the wisdom God gave him. He wrote much of what would later become known as Wisdom Literature in the OT. Even though he acted unwisely later in life, we can learn a great deal from the beginning of Solomon’s reign as recorded in 1 Kings 3. Being a servant of the Lord and others is wise. It will result in riches and honor in this life and the one to come.
