God appears to King Solomon in a dream and offers him to ask for whatever he wants. The young king shrewdly requests a wise heart to discern good from evil. Solomon could have asked for any sort of material wealth, but instead underscores his commitment to more sublime ideals. For Solomon, justice, truth, and kindness are values above all else. God grants Solomon wisdom beyond what any man possessed until that point or would ever after. He also promises Solomon that if he keeps God’s commandments, he will merit abundance and a lengthy life.
“In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.” (1 Kings 3:5-9)
“And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days” (1 Kings 3:12-14)
Kindness flows when we put others before ourselves.
