THE STORY
Chapter 13: The King Who Had It All

When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go… and you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.”
I Kings 2:1-3 (The Story, page 176)

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.”…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. I Kings 3:5,7-12 (The Story, pages 176-177)

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else… And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom. I Kings 4:29-34 (The Story, pages 178-179)

WISDOM

The skill to consistently apply

sense with a
DISCERNING spirit learned from EXPERIENCE or trusted ADVISERS filtered through the WORD of God, leading to success in life.

In light of what

says, is this a wise thing to do?

My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. Proverbs 3:21,22 (NLT)

In light of what the

says, is this a wise thing to do?

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything that I have told you. John 14:26 (ISV)

In light of what

says, is this a wise thing to do?

In light of what my

say, is this a wise thing to do?

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

In light of what the

says, is this a wise thing to do?

“Every promise (word) of God proves true; he protects everyone who runs to him for help. So don’t second-guess him…Proverbs 30:5 (MSG)

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been….So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done.
I Kings 11:4,6 (The Story, page 192)