You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to know Solomon was the wisest man in the world. He is legendary. References to his wisdom have come up in literature for centuries and you find references to him in modern culture through movies, music, and casual conversation. We hear a little less, though, about how Solomon got so wise. It seems to have been a two step process. The second step can be found in First Kings 3 when the Lord appears to Solomon in a dream. The Lord tells the new king to ask for anything in the world and He will grant it. Solomon asks for wisdom and discernment to lead the people. This pleases God.
But, Solomon didn’t come up with this request on the spur of the moment. It goes way back to Step One when Solomon was just a little boy. In Proverbs 4, Solomon tells us where his hunger for wisdom came from:
When I was a boy in my father’s house,
still tender, and an only child of my mother,
he taught me and said,
“Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.
Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor.” Proverbs 4:3-9
This admonition came from a man who hadn’t always been so wise. King David learned this lesson through horribly bad decisions with tragic consequences. Only God’s mercy could redeem a man who committed adultery and then murdered one of his best friends to cover it up. David knew something about what the lack of wisdom can do.
So, when Solomon faced this epic question, the answer was easy. He knew he should ask for wisdom. Because Dad said so.