Shifting Focus
1 Kings 3:5-14
What would you ask for if the Lord appeared to you in a dream?
Photo by Dev Asangbam on Unsplash
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.” - 1 Kings 3:5-14
I think Solomon was being sincere when he asked God to give him the wisdom to govern his people wisely. He was thinking of his role and service to his people above his own needs and wants.
It was also a brilliant move, though, and one we should consider as a strategy when negotiating on our own behalf.
Putting others first makes sense in so many ways, and yet how often do we do it?
We would not know of Solomon’s dream and the choice he made if he had kept it a secret, so part of what we can learn from him is this. Be willing to share your faith and flaws. Telling the world he asked for wisdom to judge rightly tells us he knows his weaknesses and seeks help in overcoming them. We want that in a leader, don’t we?
I see so many people posting on LinkedIn, claiming to know what it means to be a great leader, but few talk about how they went from weakness to strength. What power did they find in themselves to make the change?
Solomon found that in God, and we can, too.
As 2025 draws t a close, we will all sum up the year, taking special note of the good and bad things that happened in our lives, but will we also look into our own hearts and souls?
Who have we become this year? How has God changed us?
If we have trouble answering that question, it’s okay. We have 2026 to shift our focus.
More to come...