2 Samuel 12:24-25, 1 Kings 4:29, James 1:5, 1 Kings 3:11-14.

Steve Holloway

"Then David comforted Bathsheba, his wife, and slept with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved the child and sent word though Nathan that his name should be Jedidah - 'beloved of the Lord' - because the Lord loved him." 2 Samuel 12:24-25.

As we know Solomon had his ups and downs; he was to become the richest, wisest and blessed with 'the ladies' of any King around, but which of these made God love him? None. Even as a baby, unable to do anything, God declared His love for Solomon. Solomon was able to go through his life knowing that he was loved by God. Regardless of what he was going to obtain or do, he would always be 'beloved of the Lord'. As Philip Yancey writes "There is nothing you can do that will make God love you more and nothing you can do to make Him love you less"

Solomon gets a sort of "you've got one wish" opportunity. What does he ask for? Wisdom. What does he get? - wealth, honour, long-life, wisdom and understanding! That's a kind of 'buy one, get four free offer.'

'And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore." 1 Kings 4:29.

God gives wisdom like He gives all His gifts - completely. God never gives almost enough, He gives abundantly. Some may need more than others, but God gives more than enough for everyone according to their need. Solomon needed some extreme wisdom to know what to do with the Kingdom he had inherited - he asked and God gave it.

The wisdom of Solomon was really the wisdom of God, and He promises it to each of us if we need it and ask Him. 'If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask Him and He will gladly tell you." James 1:5.

"So God replied, "Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people and have not asked for a long life or riches for yourself or the death of your enemies - I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding mind such as no one else has ever had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for - riches and honour! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life." 1 Kings 3:11-14

Why did God do that? - Solomon didn't want fame and fortune. He knew he was like a little boy pretending to be king and he wanted to do the best he could for God - His motive was pure. When push came to shove, Solomon was more concerned about God and his people than himself - it's that kind of heart that God can trust with fame and fortune.

BUT HERE'S THE WARNING:

Even though Solomon was given wisdom and all the other blessings - it didn't make him invincible. He married over 700 women from other nations for political reasons - this was a direct disobedience of God's command not to inter-marry.

God's gifts are given completely - but that doesn't mean we can't misuse them or mistreat them. Solomon was given wisdom, but he also acted stupidly. However, there was nothing he did that made God stop loving him - same goes for you.