This topic is adapted from the PursueGOD Sermonlink YouTube channel. This is part 1 of 5 in the What If? sermonlink series. See also the kids edition of this lesson, or go to our Proverb a Day reading plan on YouTube.
Have you ever considered what you would do if God offered you whatever you wanted? When God asked Solomon that question, he unexpectedly chose the one thing that everybody truly needs – God and his wisdom. Today we begin a study on the book of Proverbs by looking at the backstory of its author, the wisest person who ever lived.
Solomon Loved God
When describing Solomon, the very first thing in the Bible that jumps out is his love for the Lord (1 Kings 3:3). Solomon loved God—and he demonstrated that love by walking and living according to the statues of his father. This is the basic building block of true wisdom, as Solomon himself later pointed out in Proverbs.
Proverbs 1:7 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Solomon Was Hanging out in All the Wrong Places
Though Solomon loved the Lord, he was far from sinless. God had commanded that his people should not worship in places that elevated idols and pagan gods. The prohibition against worshipping in the high places was to prevent God’s people from allowing pagan practices to creep into their worship of the one and only true God. But Solomon disobeyed this command, just as others had before him.
1 Kings 3:3 Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship.
Idol worship was a slippery slope for Solomon, one which later in his life would cause him to drift from God.
[Related: You Become What You Worship]
Solomon Wisely Acknowledged Three Things
In spite of Solomon’s imperfect track record with idolatry, his story gives us a glimpse into the foundation of his greatness. Every man sins, and every man at some point must be honest about God and himself. Solomon is an ancient model of this for all of us in three key ways.
- Solomon acknowledged the faithfulness of God (1 Kings 3:6). Solomon knew that his story didn’t start or end with him. God is sovereign and faithful, and his plan will always succeed.
- Solomon acknowledged that he is a servant of the Most High God (1 Kings 3:7). When Solomon understood the greatness of God, his only response was to fall to his knees and offer his service.
- Solomon acknowledged his inadequacy to carry out his duties (1 Kings 3:7). Solomon is communicating his sense of inadequacy, inexperience, and unpreparedness for the job. There is no overconfidence in his abilities or arrogance in his qualifications at this point in his life. Like Moses before him and Jeremiah behind him, Solomon experienced a profound sense of inadequacy.
Solomon Asked God for the One Thing Everybody Needs
With the backdrop of Solomon’s story, we’re ready to see the true genius of the author of Proverbs. Famously, God made Solomon the offer of a lifetime.
1 Kings 3:5 That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”
In one moment, God opened his wallet, took out his credit card, unlocked the treasure chest and invited Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted. Can you even imagine the opportunity Solomon had—and the temptation that must have followed? What if God gave you the same option? What would you ask for? The biblical text gives us Solomon’s answer.
1 Kings 3:9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours.
[Related: The Old Testament Books of Wisdom]
Solomon asked for “a discerning heart” to serve God. Don’t ever miss that—he asked for wisdom so that he can serve God and his people better. God offered Solomon anything that his heart desired and Solomon amazingly chose the one thing that everybody needs – God and his wisdom.
The book of Proverbs is evidence of the timeless wisdom of King Solomon. Take the 31-day What If? series for a chapter-a-day study of the entire book.
Discussion Questions:
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- If you could have anything from God what would you want and why? Be honest!
- Solomon loved God. What are some ways that a love for God is demonstrated in a person’s life?
- In 1 Kings 3:3. Solomon loved God, but also made foolish choices. How much of yourself do you see in Solomon at this point? Explain.
- Solomon viewed himself as God’s servant. How does understanding the greatness of God lead to having the attitude of a servant?
- Would people describe you as a servant? Why or why not?
- Read 1 Kings 3:7. Describe a time when you felt inadequate in something God asked you to do.
- Why do you think God values a servant attitude in his people?
- Read 1 Kings 3:9 Solomon made the right choice by asking for God and his wisdom. Why do you think that was such a smart decision by Solomon?
- In what area of your life do you most need God’s wisdom right now? Why?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
