Overwhelmed

Picture yourself with a new role, position, responsibility, etc. with your mentor suddenly no longer available to give help for the tasks ahead. What do you do? Where do you turn for help? Solomon had such a situation that is recounted in 1 Kings 3. His father had died, and now he was king of all Israel.

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you."

So maybe you are asking yourself, "Why doesn't God do this for me? I could use it right now." Let's look at this more. God did not just present himself to Solomon on a whim. First, there was the matter of a promise given to David to establish his son on the throne with a promise to have a father-son relationship and establish his throne (2 Samuel 7). Next, Solomon had a heart for the YHWH's things which he showed by following in his statutes. Last, Solomon demonstrated his wholeheartedness by extravagant worship.

As dedicated as Solomon desired to be, he had faults: he formed marriage alliances like his father; and he worshiped at the high places like the people did, because a permanent place for the ark of the covenant had not been built (3:1-4). In other words, perfection is not required for God to interact in your life. Willingness to obey is.

But back to the initial question: why doesn't God present himself and ask that question? Because he already did more than once. For example:

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matt 7:7-8)

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:24)

There is no reason to seek some metaphysical reality or spiritualization of existence. The Lord Jesus Christ, second person of the Trinity, has unequivocally guaranteed both an audience and a response.

6 And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, 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 this day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"

Solomon responded by recounting YHWH's goodness to his father as a result of his obedience. He also knows that the only reason for his position is God's faithfulness to the covenant mention above. And here Solomon is feeling completely unqualified, having as it were the capacity of a small child. The task is so enormous and the consequences so great in regards to the people that Solomon asks for the one thing--an understanding mind.

How are you similarly stressed? With what are you wrestling? Each person goes through a period of doubt and seeming incapacitation. You were placed there for a purpose. If God is sovereign (and he is), then you, Christian brother or sister, are experiencing what is designed to work good in you. The questions will certainly arise and the lessons be painful, but make no mistake about the ultimate goal that "for those who love God all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28).

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."

YWHW was pleased with Solomon's choice and gave him the request and more. Again, God gives freely to his children.

15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

After being granted his request, Solomon turned from the high place and worshiped before the ark. This was the place of God's choosing. He was honored by obedience. After bringing petitions before the throne of heaven, the only proper response we have is to follow him more correctly.