“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.” – Abraham Lincoln
“Wisdom is better than weapons of war.” – Ecclesiastes 9:18
“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is ableto govern this great people of yours?”
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walkin obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.- 1 Kings 3:7-15
God blessed Solomon with tremendous wealth, honor, and long life. Here are some keys that Solomon used to get God’s attention. This is a very famous verse in which King Solomon asks for wisdom from God, and as a result, he becomes the man who is long considered the wisest man in the world. I find that we can discover some powerful truths on Godly leadership in these passages.
1. Solomon Loved the Lord and Walked in His Ways. The first way that Solomon walked with God was in Faithfulness.
A. Faithfulness: 1 Samuel 12:24: "Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you."
We need to trust God in our coming and going, in the tough times and the easy, the times of sickness and in health, when we are wealthy and when we are trying to find two nickels to rub together. God wants more than lip service. He wants obedience. Don’t be swayed by winds of doctrine, but stay faithful to the service that the Lord has commanded.
B. Righteousness
Proverbs 21:21 – "Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor."
2 Corinthians 5:21-For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
As believers, we know that we are not trying to gain righteousness but that we come from righteousness. We are made righteous in God’s eyes through Christ Jesus. Righteousness then becomes an extension, a fruit in our lives. If we are to lead like Solomon, we need to walk in righteousness.
2. Value Others in Humility
Solomon loved and valued his people. Notice his humility here describing them, and then take notice that his entire ask for wisdom was to be able to govern them rightly and to know good over evil: But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number… So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.
It was important for Solomon to be able to govern the people of Israel well. Everyone deserves to be led well. He didn’t think of himself; he took his ego out of the equation and instead asked God for a gift to be a blessing and add value to God’s people.
In conclusion, if you and I want to lead like Solomon, we need to love the Lord by walking in Faithfulness and righteousness, and to value others in humility.
