If God Asked You What You Wanted Most, What Would You Ask For?
1 Kings 3:1-15
Feb. 20, 2008 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor
I Then Solomon formed a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her to the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem. 1 Kings 3:1 (NASB)
A Solomon married the Pharaoh of Egypt’s daughter.
1 Many believe she was a true proselyte to Judaism.
a Converted to loving, worshiping the Living God of Israel.
b Later in 1 Kings 11:5-6, there is an absence of Egyptian gods when Solomon fell into a backslidden condition.
2 Jews were allowed to take foreign wives as long as the wife became a Jew!
3 Hard to have two different faiths under one roof. The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days. 3 Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, "Ask what you wish me to give you." 1 Kings 3:2-5 (NASB)
B Only the people sacrificed in the high places.
1 No temple, just a tent compound David had erected.
a Temple of praise 24/7
b What would we expect from a harp-playing songwriter? Israel was told to destroy the high places! (Num. 33:52; Deut. 7:5, 33:29)
2 The folks & Solomon worshiped in the high places.
a Abraham built altars in the mountains, worshiped in the grove.
b The Ark was where the manifest presence of God rested.
aa David worshiped there, and sacrificed at Gibeon (5 miles north of Jerusalem).
bb Solomon fell short here- v. 3, "except"
c Maybe the reason the people kept their distance was because their leader stayed at a distance.
3 A leader cannot take his people to where he/she has not personally been.
4 God overlooked their weakness, error, and accepted their service and worship.
a Aren’t you glad God doesn’t put the smackdown at every opportunity He can put the smackdown on us!
C Solomon stats
1 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that therewill not be any among the kings like you all your days. 1 Kings 3:13 (NASB ) Wealthiest, honored, wisest
a God asked Solomon what he wanted. In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, "Ask what you wish me to give you." 1 Kings 3:5 (NASB)
aa Most men would have asked for prosperity, long life, victory over his enemies.
bb What did Solomon ask for? "So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" 1 Kings 3:9 (NASB)
b What would you have asked for if God asked you, "Ask what you wish Me to give you."
aa Money, good health, blessing over our enemies, good marriages? Our kids to know wealth, good life?
bb What do our answers say about us?
cc In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.John 16:23 (NASB)
This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.1 John 5:14 (NASB)
2 There is something Solomon had that had nothing to do with wealth, wisdom, honor.
a Now Solomon loved the LORD...1 Kings 3:3a (NASB)
aa Solomon’s greatest encomium was not wealth or wisdom, but that he loved the Lord.
bb Even the poorest, most feeble of body can love the Lord!
b At the end of our days, wouldn’t you much rather have it said of you, "(S)he loved the Lord!"
c Notice how Solomon spoke of his daddy’s piety. Then Solomon said, "You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day...1 Kings 3:6 (NASB) He veiled David’s faults
3 Solomon proved he loved the Lord by...
a How he prayed (29:59-P.T.C.)
aa Confession: I’m a child, I don’t have enough sense.
b He showed genuine humility
aa I can’t do this on my own ability
bb Mirrors Paul’s statement ...to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?2 Cor 2:16 (NASB)
c His request pleased the Lord! It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing.1 Kings 3:10 (NASB) God is pleased when any us of approach his throne! He loves it when His people allow Him to work in their lives.
aa It was the Spirit working that thought in Solomon’s mind.
bb God was pleased with not only Solomon, pleased with Himself, too!
D Answered prayer God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 13 "I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. 1 Kings 3:11-13 (NASB)
1 God gave him wisdom, and more!
a Money, honor, etc.
b "If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days." 1 Kings 3:14 (NASB)
aa Condition for long life
bb He stumbled, and didn’t live as long to enjoy the blessings!
2 Solomon asked for wisdom and got it, He didn’t ask for money, honor, and because he didn’t ask for them...he got them!
E Where does he go? Then Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and made peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants. 1 Kings 3:15 (NASB)
1 Goes to the Ark
a Goes to where God is at!
b High places were tradition, routine, religion
aa The ark was intimate, represented the presence of God.
bb Solomon offered sacrifice in his worship.
cc Reflected his wealth! If he offered 1,000 at the high places (v. 4), what do you think he did at the ark? Possibly 1,000 oxen.
2 Even in our errors, God’s love (and longing) for us does not fade!
a He knew we were damaged when He died for us!
b Our God is one of mercy/grace/might.
aa If we follow Him, we find wisdom, providence
bb It’s when we stray that we experience problems.
Conclusion
A God is asking you, "What is it you’d ask of me?"
1 In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.John 16:23 (NASB)
This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.1 John 5:14 (NASB)
2 Praise Him
a Love, patience, goodness, joy, peace, kindness, faithfulness
b Fruits of the Spirit
aa God is those things
bb He doesn’t give you what He is not
cc Fruits of the Spirit that gives us the character to operate in the gifts of the Spirit.
3 Confess
a If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:10)
aa Forgive other people
bb Bless them
4 Thanks
a Thank for...
aa Material possessions (house, car, shoes)
bb Physical possessions (eyes, mind, mouth)
cc Spiritual blessings (forgiveness, prayer, joy)
dd People
b Thank God for the blessing that has been given to us through the hands that have went before us.
c Amen!
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