Mon.’s Devo - Solomon’s Request -

Read: 1 Kings 3:4-4:34; Acts 6:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 16:26-27 Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice to the Lord on the high place there. The Lord appeared to him that night and wanted Solomon to ask him for what he wanted. Solomon praised God for blessing his father David and thanked him for sitting him on the throne, then he made his request. He was young and didn’t know how to rule a nation as large as Israel. He asked for understanding to govern them and discernment to know the difference between what was good and what was evil. *** Solomon’s request pleased the Lord and he told him he would grant his request and give him discernment and wisdom like no one else had had before. He would also give him what he didn’t ask for. He would give him riches and honor above all who had gone before him. If he continued to walk with Him, he would lengthen his days to live a long life. *** God gave Solomon a chance to showcase his wisdom when two women came. They lived together and both had a baby three days apart. One of the woman’s baby had died during the night and was accused of switching the babies so that she would have the live baby. The mother of the surviving baby woke to find her baby dead, then realized it was not her baby. They both claimed the live baby was their own. *** Solomon asked for a sword to cut the baby in half and give it to both the women. The real mother plead for the life of her son, while the other woman was willing to sacrifice him. Solomon then knew who the baby belonged to and gave it to the real mother. All Israel heard about this and knew the Solomon was a very wise king. *** Solomon was king over all Israel and Judah as one. He had trusted men who helped him run his kingdom. He put 12 officers from each tribe to be over Israel. Each officer was in charge of providing food for the king and his household one month out of the year. The country was wealthy and lived in peace with their enemies who brought them tribute each year. *** God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure and knowledge in every area of life. He was famous and known for his parables and songs he had written. He understood nature and people came from all over to sit and hear his wisdom. *** In Acts, the church was growing in number and some of the Hellenists who had become believers complained that they were not being treated fairly in the distribution to widows. The 12 apostles met with the other disciples and told them to pick seven from among them who were full of the Spirit of wisdom and appoint them to serve the people. One who was chosen was Stephen. The other six were named also. The apostles laid their hands on them and prayed for them. *** As the church grew, a great number of the priests became believers. *** There were also those of the synagogue of the Freedmen who were jealous of Stephen because he was doing great wonders and signs among the people. They could’t stand up to his wisdom and the Holy Spirit in him so they sent false witnesses to accuse him of blasphemy. They brought him before the council and had false witnesses who said that Stephen spoke against the temple. He said that Jesus would destroy the temple and change the customs that Moses gave them. As they spoke against Stephen, his face lit up like the face of an angel. *** In both of our reading we see how God gave his wisdom to Solomon and Stephen. They both gave honor to the Lord. Solomon’s wisdom would give him a long life and Stephen would die because of his. Both would have accomplished their mission on earth for God’s glory. *** Lord, thank you for reminding us that your plan is what matters and our hope is to walk in what you have designed for us. We are eternal so our days on earth are in your hands, we will live forever with you.