Daily Devotionals

1Ki 3:5-6, 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” 6 And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; …

The journey of Solomon as a young king began with the guidance of his aged father. As his death neared, David was certain that his young and inexperienced son would not be ready to lead, and he might not be around to disciple him into manhood. One major task was for him to build a magnificent temple for God. This project was too big for his young son without his preparation and guidance. David therefore prepared materials in abundance for his son (1Chr 22:5, 29:1). He then surrounded him with skillful workers and elders to help him in the journey from childhood to manhood.

David is now gone, Solomon has great responsibility of leading and building the temple for the Lord. He stepped at once out of seclusion and idleness to bear the whole weight of the kingdom. And while contemplating how to, God appears to him in a dream and gives him a blank check, to ask for anything. The first thing he does is not ask but reflect. He acknowledges God’s mercy shown to his father, and his father’s testimony of his walk in truth (moral reality, honesty, sincerity), in righteousness (moral integrity and rightness), and in uprightness of the heart (moral excellence). The reflection will serve an important role in what he will ask for.

This leads me to now ask, can your children reflect on your walk with God and highlight your character as that of truth, righteousness, and uprightness? Children learn a great deal by watching, that is a walk they mostly recognize.