October Blessings Pt. 6, Solomon's Prayer

This week in the Word, as I work through my Bible in a Year program, I am reminded that Scripture repeats things that are important. This is fairly familiar, as Jesus often repeated Himself when something was important; for example when He asked Peter, "Do you love me?" three times. Read about it here. 

But I had not thought much about repetitions in the Old Testament (aside from the Psalms and Proverbs), until last night. I was doing my reading in 2 Chronicles, and as it describes how Solomon asked God for wisdom, I'm thinking, I've heard this before! Maybe my reading app on my phone didn't check off a passage when I read it weeks ago? 

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Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom: 2 Chronicles. 1:8-13

8 Solomon said to God, “You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, O Lord God, Your promise to my father David is 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, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?” 11 God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.” 13 So Solomon went from the high place which was at Gibeon, from the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.

So I went back on my reading calender and checked, and here it was again:


Solomon’s Prayer (1 Kings 3:6-15)

6 Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. 9 So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

God’s Answer

10 It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. 14 If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.”
15 Then Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and made peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

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So, why the repitition? This is IMPORTANT!

• God wants us to ask Him for Wisdom: James 1:5 "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."  
• He wants us to value Wisdom more than Earthly gain. (see above, in "God's Answer") 

Prov. 4:5-9
5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;
Love her, and she will watch over you.
7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
8 “Prize her, and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.
9 “She will place on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty.”

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 My prayer for today, in the Words of  Solomon: 

“You have shown great loving-kindness to Your servant, Laura. Help me to walk before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You. Now, O Lord my God, You have blessed me with this home, and husband, and children... yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant is in the midst of this great responsibility and is overwhelmed by it! So, Dear Father, please give Your servant an understanding heart to judge and discern between good and evil. For who is able to do all that is right? Help me to acquire wisdom, and to prize and embrace it today!”

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(#317-325)

October 29th: 3 Gifts on Time

• School mostly on schedule
• A lighter week of assignments
• ...in time to prepare for a craft fair!

October 30th: 3 Gifts Overjoyed

• for a day at home
• for a working sewing machine
• for some progress on the basement

October 31st: 3 Gifts Hallowed

• time in the Word
• time with my family
• time with Grandma

Join us in counting our blessings? Over at A Holy Experience...