Sample #4 from DIVINE STRATEGIES FOR INCREASE
Truths About Spiritual Laws #4
Solomon’s Prosperity Releasing Request
“Ask! What shall I give you?” (2 Chronicles 1:7)
If God told you He would give you whatever you asked for, what would you ask? Well, Solomon, King David’s son and successor, had this happen to him. Here’s the story. “On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, ‘Ask! What shall I give you?’ And Solomon said to God: ‘You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Now give me wis-dom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?’” (2 Chronicles 1:7-10)
When Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge, God was moved and impressed. “Then God said to Solomon: ‘Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life – but have asked wisdom . . . wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like’” (2 Chronicles 1:11-12). An incredible blessing of the Lord would be released be-cause of the greatness of his request.
King Solomon concluded that David’s zeal alone was not enough to see revival sustained. He honored his father but also realized that David’s passions and relational weaknesses created a breakdown in protection and blessing over his family. The pain of this may have caused the new king to swing the pendulum too far in the direction of principles (spiritual laws) and away from spiritual inti-macy; but God still was delighted by Solomon’s discernment about what Israel needed in its next season. God will feel the same regarding many of us who are also living in a time where a supernatural revelation of wisdom is needed.
What was the result of Solomon’s revelation of how spiritual laws oper-ate? First, the book of Proverbs emerged. It is the life-giving manual on spiritual laws. Secondly, it created unprecedented national prosperity for Israel. 2 Chroni-cles 9 reveals the greatness of wealth, happiness, wisdom, fame and influence that resulted from a leader who committed himself to have revelation about the laws of the spirit. Yes, we are aware that Solomon ended poorly and left a mess behind him, but that does not negate our need to find the heart of Solomon’s PROSPERITY-releasing request. Accelerated kingdom advancement depends on it.
