by Mike Bennett

After Solomon became king of Israel, God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” (2 Chronicles 1:7).

What would you say if God offered to grant your request? Probably many things come to mind.

Solomon had the humility and presence of mind to ask for what God wanted to give him. He recognized the challenges of the position he had inherited, and he wanted God’s help to properly fulfill his responsibilities. He knew he needed the wisdom that comes from above (James 3:17).

God granted Solomon’s request, and Solomon’s wisdom became famous throughout the earth in his day. His wisdom caused the queen of Sheba to say, “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. … Indeed the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame of which I heard” (2 Chronicles 9:5-6).

We also receive the benefit of that wisdom through the books Solomon contributed to that are preserved in the Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon.

God was so pleased by Solomon’s requests that, in addition to what Solomon asked for, God gave him the things most people would have sought. God said, “I will give you riches and wealth and honor” (2 Chronicles 1:12).

What should we ask God for? For more on what we should pray about, see the article “How to Pray.”