Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. - 1 Kings 3:11-13

This is the divine statement that settled the unmatched wisdom and wealth of Solomon. He so impressed God with his request that God was too eager to give him more than he asked for. But, how did Solomon get there? What did he do to attract the attention of God in the first place?

After being crowned the king of Israel, Solomon took heed to obey the instructions given to him by David, his father. As David was nearing his death, he charged his son to be devoted to God and thus gave him a secret to unlocking the door of prosperity irrespective of his location or vocation. He said: “And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn” (1 Kings 2:3).

David also gave Solomon specific instructions concerning Joab, Barzillai, and Shimei; all of which he executed to the letter. So we see that Solomon began to set the stage for an encounter with God through his obedience. He did not start out by effecting his own idea about how to do things. He was unassuming in his adherence to the instructions given to him by his father, as spelled out in the word of God. That was the starting point of his pleasing God and positioning himself for His blessing. Perhaps, we can learn from his example.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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