On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?” And Solomon said to God: “You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?” Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king— wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.”
II Chronicles 1:7-12 NKJV
A man’s word and desire are a betrayal of his predominant thought. A man’s priority when he becomes rich or powerful is indicative of the state of his mind and the quality of his thoughts long before he ever attained wealth and power.
This thought, priority and desire are however sharpened and influenced by the quality of words that go into him and the surrounding influences that he has permitted through internalization. It’s one thing for you to be surrounded with positive influence and be filled with good, healthy words. It’s another thing for you to allow such to be the influence that shapens your thought, builds your values and determines your behavior. Ultimately, you still have your choice. Therefore, the scriptures say we should “receive the Word of God with meekness.” It is the Word you receive, accept, internalize and esteem very highly that renews, transforms, shapes, adjusts, deconstructs and reconstructs your mind, and makes you into a being that baffles the world.
At the beginning of his reign, the influences around Solomon were not only strong and positive but Solomon also allowed the influences around him to impact on himself, such that God was impressed with his choice and personal preference when asked to request what he wanted. His request was a pleasant surprise to God. Though he grew up in a toxic and challenging environment, because of the circumstances of his mother’s relationship with King David and how she came to be one among several wives. She definitely didn’t enjoy the right hand of fellowship from the rest and also from most of the palace staff and guards who were former colleagues of her late husband. The circumstances of their relationship was marked with a lot of scandal that probably portrayed her as a gold digger, husband snatcher, murderer, manipulator, you name it. She probably didn’t enjoy much support from outside the palace as well. Born and raised in this kind of toxic environment as the disadvantaged faction among so many in a family full of rivalry, enmity, scandals, betrayal, hatred, bickering, and all kinds of antics, I’m sure he must have suffered all kinds of bullying, because even after he was crowned king, the bullying continued. That he and his mother never enjoyed acceptance was evident in the way the majority of the royal family members, palace staff, cabinet members and other prominent individuals in the society supported his brother Adonijah and crowned him king instead of him.
Clearly Solomon didn’t have it easy without, but within he exuded a commendable personality which earned him great favor with God.
To be continued…
