"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.' Solomon answered ... I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties ... So give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong ... 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, 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. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for, both riches and honor, so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in My ways and obey My statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.' " 1 Kings 3:5-14 (NIV)
After he had firmly established himself as the king, because his older brother Adonijah had declared himself to be the king (1 Kings 1:5-7) after David, King Solomon asked God for a discerning heart to govern and to distinguish right from wrong. God blessed him with that and wisdom, riches, honor, and a long life. God made him the wisest man ever.
Often we ask God for things that we should not ask for, and we don't ask for some things that we should ask Him for. King Solomon is the perfect example of asking God for the right things, for the right reasons, and being blessed with that and much, much more. His request was not selfish, it was for the benefit of others. Maybe we could learn a lesson from Solomon which might help us with our prayer life. Sincerely praying for the benefit of others, may result in us receiving blessings for ourselves.
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