Seek His Kingdom First
v7: [That night God appeared to Solomon…] God appeared to Solomon because Solomon has the heart for God. He led the leaders of Israel to Gibeon to offer 1000 burn offerings to God (v6).
v12: [I will also give you wealth, riches and honor…] God did not only give Solomon wisdom and knowledge, He also gave him wealth, riches and honor although Solomon did not ask for these, because God was pleased with Solomon’s heart to serve Him and His people (v10). Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge not for the benefits of himself, instead he desired to use the wisdom and knowledge to lead the great people of God (v10).
When my son asked me for things so that he can help me to accomplish my plans, I am very pleased because his heart was thinking about his daddy. I would be so pleased that I would give him things that he did not ask.
The Lord Jesus taught us the same principle: [But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well] (Matt 6:33). So when we pray to our heavenly Father, learned to ask for things for the benefits of God’s kingdom, because that is what pleases Him. And in His grace, He would choose to bless us with things we did not even ask.
The Beginning of The Change of Heart of King Solomon
v14-17:
[Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem] (v14)
We are not sure how much time has passed after Solomon’s encounter with God, but the incident in v14-17 shown us that Solomon has started to depart from following the commands of the LORD. He started to accumulate chariots and horses. As a King, Solomon is supposed to copy the pentateuch and obey God’s command (Deut 17:18).
The law clearly states that:
[The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.”] (Deut 17:16)
Solomon not only acquired horses, he acquired them form Egypt, which was specifically forbidden by God.
Solomon had a great start by searching the kingdom of God first. However, he soon started to use his wisdom to build the kingdom of Israel but ignoring God’s command.
We may have started in the right course with God, but we need to stay the course, and finish the course. The start, the journey, and the end are all important in God’s eyes.