Servant King

And God said to him (Solomon), "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. - 1 Kings 2 v 11 -13

One of the small games I used to play growing up was 3 wishes. Where you would each answer the question "If you had 3 wishes what would they be?". Whatever the first 2 were the third one was always can I have an other 3 wishes.


Solomon wasn't given 3 wishes but he was given carte blanche to ask God for anything he wanted. ANYTHING! Amazingly enough he didn't choose wealth or health. The two things that so often seem to have become the focus of so many preachers. He chose WISDOM.


Why? Because he recognised that although he was a king he actually was a servant of God and a servant of God's people.


And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people. - 1 Kings 3 v 7 - 9

His heart was right before God and even as a king understood he was a servant. And as a servant the thing he needed most was supernatural wisdom. God gave him wealth as well but I think Solomon had figured out that true prosperity having exactly what he needed to serve God in the way that God had asked him too.