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King Solomon asked for Wisdom

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So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people

and to distinguish between right and wrong.

For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.

[1Kings 3:9~10]

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The great king David defeated Goliath and followed only God's words for his whole life. As David got older he realized that he didn’t have much of his life left.So he called his son, Solomon, and handed the throne over to his son.

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King David said to Solomon

"Do not leave God and do as God's words whatever may happen."

And then David died.

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King Solomon tried to live out God's words because his father asked.

Solomon went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices.

Because that was the most important high place.

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People offered sacrifices at the most high place because there was no temple in Israel that time.

Solomon found a big altar and decided to offer sacrifices.

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King Solomon offered sacrifices to God with all his heart.

King Solomon offered one thousand sheep to God as sacrifices.

Solomon was not stingy about giving his things to God.

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King Solomon slept very well that night.

God knew that all of Solomon's heart belonged to Him.

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God appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream.

God said "Solomon!! Ask for whatever you want and I’ll give it to you”

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Solomon listened to God's words and humbly said to God.

"The LORD has shown great kindness to my father, David.

He was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. And he let his son, me, be King "

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Solomon continued to say to God. "But I am like a child. I do not know what to do so I need wisdom. Give me a discerning heart to govern your people and distinguish between right and wrong. If you do not give me wisdom, I cannot govern your people well."

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Solomon asked for God to give him wisdom so that he could govern the people well.

God was very pleased that Solomon had asked for this.

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God said to Solomon, "You did not ask for long life or to be rich yourself, nor did you ask for the death of your enemies. You asked only for discernment and wisdom. Therefore I will give you a wise and discerning heart. There will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be."

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God continued to say to Solomon.

"Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for.

I will give you riches and honor so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. If you follow me like your father, David, and obey my laws and commands, I will give you a long life."

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He received an amazing blessing from God and woke up from a dream.

As soon as Solomon awoke from the sleep, he immediately got up.

He returned to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the Lord's covenant.

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He sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings.

Solomon knew and appreciated God's grace.

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And Solomon shared God's blessing with other people.

He gave a feast for all his court.

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God was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom.

Because Solomon wanted to rule over the country that God left to Solomon.

He ruled over the country well with God's wisdom.

His country became great country and a land of abundance.

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If you want to be blessed by God, you should ask for wisdom.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.(James 1:5)

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I hope that all of you want to receive the blessing of God like Solomon.

If you become children of God, He listens carefully to your prayers.

Do not pray for yourself but pray for doing well God's country.