2 Chronicles 1:7-13--Solomon Prays for Wisdom

2 Chronicles 1:7-13
English Standard Version
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Solomon Prays for Wisdom
7 In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” 8 And Solomon said to God, “You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. 9 O LORD God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” 11 God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.” 13 So Solomon came from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem. And he reigned over Israel.

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We get the feeling that David knew the LORD chose Solomon to be the next king of Israel, but it doesn't seem like David had a lot of faith that Solomon was ready to govern the people.  David had lots of experience as a shepherd to help him learn how to shepherd the LORD's people, but Solomon didn't seem to have any of that experience.  Now that the task is upon King Solomon, it is overwhelming for him.  When the LORD comes to him and tells him in a nighttime vision to ask the LORD for anything, and the LORD would give it to him, Solomon asks the LORD for wisdom to govern and lead the people well.

This is of course exactly what the LORD wanted Solomon to day, and because Solomon did not ask for peace, wealth, fame, or long life (the things that the world would usually ask for), but instead asked for wisdom, the LORD would make sure that He was not only the wisest man in the world, but the richest, most powerful, most famous, and that he would have peace and long life in his lifetime.

The LORD says that Solomon would be unlike any of the kings before him (Saul or David) or any of the kings after him (which we've read about in 1 Kings and 2 Kings and will read about again in 2 Chronicles).  This goes to a general biblical principle that I see throughout Scripture that the LORD likes to pick those who we would call inadequate for the task before them.  Why?  Because usually those people know that they cannot do it alone and that it will only be by the LORD acting in and through them that the "impossible" task that they are called to becomes possible.  "With man it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible." (Meaning anything God calls us to do, He will equip up to do in a way that He should get the glory and honor and praise).  It should be obvious to everyone around Solomon that this conversation with God changes him as he came back to Jerusalem a different person than when he went up to Gibeon to meet with the LORD.  So too should it be with us.  Solomon will come back ready to rule and full of wisdom in how to build the Temple of the LORD.