Suggested reading: 1 Kings 1-3

Before King David died, he made Solomon, one of his sons, king. Solomon took over when he was still young. In this reflection, we will discover what King Solomon did that pleased God. Here is Solomon’s prayer right after he was made King.

⁷ “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. ⁹ So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. ¹¹ So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, ¹² I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. ¹³ Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. ¹⁴ And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

Wow. Wow. Wow. This hit me like a ton of bricks.

After David made Solomon King, he humbled himself and didn’t see himself fit to lead the people. He used the words, “I’m only a little child”, and “I don’t know how to carry my duties.”

However, he asked God for a “discerning heart to govern the people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”

This pleased God. He didn’t ask for anything for himself. He prioritised the request of getting a discerning heart so he could lead Israelites. How I wish all leaders were like this!

What did God do? Not only did he grant him wisdom, but he also granted him what he did not ask for: wealth and honour.

The lesson today is simple.

God likes leaders who are NOT in it for themselves. God likes leaders who are selfless and prioritize their people.

WORD.