Shortly after becoming king in Israel, Solomon traveled to Gibeon to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Here the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Ask what I shall give you. Though grateful to the Lord for having chosen him to succeed his father David, Solomon was keenly aware of his inadequacy to govern the people without divine help. Give Thy servant therefore, he implored, an understanding heart to govern Thy people, that I may discern between good and evil. Pleased by such a request, the Lord replied, Because you have asked this, and have not asked for long life, or for riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to recognize what is just and right, behold...I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor; so that there shall not be any among the kings equal to you all your days (I Kings 3:11-13). The expression an understanding heart is in the Hebrew text A HEARING HEART. And in Isaiah 50:4-5 we read of the inner discipline which Jesus and
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 06:56:04 +0000