1 Kings 3
Our focus is The Book of First Kings Chapter 3 where “King Solomon requested WISDOM” in response to a unique Offer by The Lord “ASK!, What shall I give you?”
THEME:
“Get Wisdom!
Though it cost all you have, get understanding”
(Proverbs 4:7)
Background
The Bible recorded that “Solomon loved the Lord and he offered a thousand burnt offerings at Gibeon to the Lord.
Key Scripture
1 Kings 3:5
“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ASK! What shall I give you?”
BIBLE REFERENCES
1 Kings 3:4-5
Proverbs 4:7
James 4:1-3
Matthew 7:7
Hebrews 11:6
1 John 5: 14-15
James 1:5
1 Kings 3:9
1 Kings 3: 12-13
1 Kings 3:3
Isaiah 59:1-2
Acts 10:4
2 Chronicles 9:22-24
James 3:17
Reflection 1
“YE HAVE NOT, BECAUSE YE ASK NOT”
(James 4:2)
The Lessons from Solomon’s encounter with the Lord are many:
1. SACRIFICE/ALMS
Sacrifices provoke Divine Attention:
King Solomon offered UNCOMMON SACRIFICE
Do you FUND your ACCOUNT in Heaven?
2. BLANK CHEQUE
The Lord expects us to ASK. (Matthew 7:7)
If given similar “BLANK CHEQUE” by the Lord, what will I ask for?
3. PURPOSE
The REASON or MOTIVE why you are asking matters to Heaven.
(James 4:2)
EFFECTIVE PRAYERS
Prayer Effectiveness is measurable.
There is a FIVE -Check Prayer Litmus Test:
1. Check your STATUS
Are you separated?
“The hand of the Lord is not short & His Ears are Not Heavy that He cannot hear!
It is INIQUITY that separates from God”
(Isaiah 59: 1-2)
2. Check Your FAITH
We CANNOT receive ANYTHING from God without FAITH
(Hebrews 11:6)
3. Check your ASK
Make Sure that WHAT you are asking lines up with God’s WILL and His PROMISES/ THE WORD.
(1 John 5:14-15)
4. Check your WHY
Are your Motives right and pure? (James 4:2)
5.Check your ALMS
What is Heaven’s “MEMORIAL” of your Sacrifice/Alms?
Let’s learn from Solomon/Cornelius
(Acts 10:4)
DO NOT FORGET
“ASK and it will be given to you’ (Matthew 7:7)
Reflection 2
“A DIFFERENT WISDOM FROM ABOVE”
(James 3:17)
According to 1 Kings 3 verse 9, King Solomon said “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people that I may discern between good and evil”
King Solomon passed the FIVE-Check Prayer Litmus Test.
1.CORRECT STATUS
Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David.
(1 Kings 3:3)
2. CORRECT FAITH
He BELIEVED God for Wisdom
3. CORRECT ASKING
He ASKED for Understanding & Discernment
4. CORRECT MOTIVE
He did Not Ask for his enemies to die rather the capacity to discharge his duties as King
5. CORRECT AROMA
Solomon loved the Lord & offered unprecedented sacrifice = SWEET SMELLING SAVOUR
No Wonder, the Lord granted his request with BONUS!
2 Kings 3 verse 12-13 confirmed that “I have given you a WISE & UNDERSTANDING HEART” In addition, “BOTH RICHES & HONOUR, so that there shall not be ANYONE like you among the kings all your days”
The Bible recorded in 2 Chronicles 9:22-24 that “King Solomon surpassed all the Kings of the earth in RICHES and WISDOM”
This is Superior/Divine and SUPERNATURAL!!
Praise The Lord!!!
Folks, what are we waiting for? It’s time to ASK for that “WISDOM” that is from above – PURE, PEACEABLE, GENTLE & FULL OF MERCY.
(James 3:17)
Prayer (1 John 5:14-15)
Father, increase our FAITH and help us to PRAY according to your WILL and PROMISES In Jesus Name. Amen.
Prayer (James 3:17)
Father, we ASK for DIVINE WISDOM and
ENABLEMENT to serve you fittingly & gloriously In Jesus Name. Amen