Do you ask for “things” when you pray?  Solomon, King David’s son, did just that, he asked God for wisdom.  Like his father, King Solomon ruled for 40 years. Scholars believe Solomon wrote some of the Psalms, authored the Proverbs, Songs of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, and some other portions/books of the Old Testament. Personally, I love reading Proverbs and find sage words of wisdom from Solomon.  A friend once reading Proverbs for the first time exclaimed, she thought her grandmother was author to many of those wise words/sayings.  Funny, because obviously, grandma read the Bible more than my friend.

“Proverbs 13:24 Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are careful to discipline them. Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.  Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. “

Even though Solomon asked God for wisdom, he was still human and had free will.  He made some very poor choices and disobeyed God many times during his reign.  According to I Kings 11, King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines.  This certainly was not wise or God’s plan.  This was Solomon exercising his free will. Many of his wives were from areas where they worshiped idols.  Marrying them and allowing idol worship was eventually part of his downfall.

God loves us unconditionally and is faithful to not forsake us, but he asks for us to trust Him and keep our eyes on Him.  Build your faith; lean on Him. You know the old saying, “…be careful what you ask for.”  By trusting our Lord to guide us and stay with us through the storms of life, we are therefore wise.

Jill