A Dream

John Povey October 12, 2026 4 1

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1 Kings 3: 5-14 (NIV-UK)

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you.’

6 Solomon answered, ‘You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

7 ‘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 able to 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 honour – so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.’

How often do your prayers focus on changing your circumstances, rather than asking for the wisdom to navigate them well?

In today’s classic biblical passage, God offers King Solomon anything he desires in a dream at Gibeon. Solomon passes up wealth, power, or long life to ask instead for a discerning, wise heart to enable him to govern God’s people.

His request was rooted in humility and service. He wanted wisdom not to puff himself up, but to care well for the people entrusted to his charge.

God was deeply pleased. Because Solomon's heart was fixed on serving others and honouring God's call, the Lord granted him unmatched wisdom.

Imagine God offering you this same open invitation today! It challenges you to examine what you truly desire at the core of your being.

What would your honest answer reveal about your heart’s priorities? How do your desires compare with Solomon’s? What might your response show about your trust in God’s ability to answer and provide?

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God.” (James 1:5) In what areas of your life do you most need divine wisdom right now? How could you slow down and invite God’s discernment into those situations?

What wisdom we would uncover in our hearts if we but asked God for eyes to see it!

Prayer:

Lord God, You have placed me in the life and responsibilities I now have, yet I often feel unequipped for the weight of what is before me.

Instead of asking for worldly riches, selfish success, or the defeat of my troubles, I ask You for what truly matters. Grant me wisdom and understanding so that I may know how to govern my life, serve others well, and distinguish clearly between right and wrong.

Help me to walk humbly in Your ways, to keep Your commands, and to rely on Your grace rather than my own fading understanding. Thank You for hearing my prayer and for Your promise to generously provide wisdom to those who ask. In Jesus' name, Amen.