1. In Matthew 7:7-8 Jesus gave His assurance that God will grant the requests made by His children. 2.He continued in vs.9-11 by using the father-child relationship to illustrate His point. 3.We included these verses in our lesson last week to encourage us to ask, seek, and knock concerning a more permanent meeting place. 4.In today's lesson we are concentrating on an experience from Solomon's life that is recorded in 1 Kings 3:5-15. 5.Our purpose for this study is to strengthen our belief in the Lord's statement, "Ask, and it shall be given you."
Discussion:
I.(vs.5) WHEN SOLOMON WAS IN GIBEON, GOD GAVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A REQUEST
A.According to vs.4, Solomon had gone to Gibeon to offer sacrifices to God. 1.We learn from vs.2 that the temple had not been built in Jerusalem. 2.Vs.3 shows how Solomon felt toward God -- he "loved the Lord." 3.Solomon wanted to express his love for the Lord, so he went to Gibeon where he offered 1,000 burnt offerings to God. B.(vs.5) While Solomon was still in Gibeon, God called upon him to make a request. 1.God appeared to Solomon in a dream by night. 2.In the dream God said, "Ask what I shall give thee." C.Solomon had an important decision to make: what would he ask God to give him?
II.(vs.6-9) SOLOMON MADE HIS REQUEST
A.(vs.6-8) Before Solomon made his request, he was aware of 3 things. 1.First, he was aware of the great opportunity that God had given him (vs.6). a.Solomon was mindful of the blessings that God had given to David. b.One of the ways God had blessed David was by allowing him to have a son who succeeded him as king of Israel. 2.Second, he was aware of his own limitations (vs.7). a.Solomon was young and inexperienced -- he did not know "how to go out or come in." b.Solomon's awareness of his limitations affected his request. 3.Third, he was aware of the great responsibility that was his (vs.8). a.Solomon was king of God's chosen people -- the Israelites had become a great nation. b.Being aware of this responsibility affected Solomon's request. B.If Solomon had not been mindful of these matters, he might have asked God for the things listed in vs.11 -- a long life, riches, or the life of his enemies. C.Based on the factors mentioned in vs.6-8, Solomon made his request. 1.(vs.9) He asked God for an "understanding heart." 2.He knew that he would need an understanding heart to be able to: a.discern between good and evil b.judge his people.
III.(vs.10-14) SOLOMON'S REQUEST PLEASED GOD
A.See vs.10. B.(vs.12) God granted Solomon's request. C.(vs.13) God also blessed Solomon with riches and honor. D.(vs.14) In addition, God promised to lengthen Solomon's days if he would only obey His will.
IV.(vs.15) SOLOMON EXPRESSED HIS GRATITUDE TO GOD
A.He offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings to God. B.He made a feast for his servants.
V.APPLICATION
A.When we make requests of God, we must realize certain things. 1.For one thing, we must realize that God blesses those who walk in His ways. a.This was true with David and Solomon. b.When we make our requests, we must do some careful examination and determine what is in harmony with God's will (Proverbs 3:5-6). 2.For a second thing, we must realize that our requests affect other people. a.Solomon's request was going to affect the entire nation of Israel. b.Our requests may not affect an entire nation, but they do affect family members, friends and neighbors, and other Christians. 3.For a third thing, we must realize that our requests have eternal consequences. a.Our requests will affect our wellbeing on earth. b.They will also affect our eternal destiny. B.In all our requests, let us seek God's kingdom and His righteousness first -- He will provide us with the things that we need (Matthew 6:33).
Conclusion:
1.(Matthew 7:7) Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given you." 2.Let us allow Solomon's experience in 1 Kings 3 to strengthen our belief in the Lord's statement -- he asked God for a blessing, and God gave it to him.
