Memory Verse:Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 KJV

The Lord spoke to Solomon in a dream while he lay sleeping in Gibeon and God said, “…Ask what I shall give thee”  (I Kings 3:5). The New Living Translation says, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”

How many times have you read “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7), or “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7)?

Solomon asked for an understanding heart (I Kings 3:9) to help him fulfill his charge from God as judge over Israel. Thus, God gave him wisdom. What? The world is rich in wise men who live or have lived in poverty? Wisdom? You can not eat it. You can not wear it… or, can you? Solomon was given a blank check from God. God would have given Solomon wealth if requested, since He had already sealed the petition with His word. Yet, Solomon considered his responsibility above his power. God was pleased by Solomon’s humble response to a tremendous opportunity.

Wisdom is more than knowing right from wrong. The Bible says that wisdom is a defense and a life giver (Ecclesiastes 7:12). Mathew Henry’s Concise Bible Commentary says, “Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea better.”

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17 KJV

I Kings 3:10-14 (KJV) reads, “10 And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

Solomon’s request for wisdom opened the door to longevity. Would you say that wisdom is a fountain of youth?