1 Kings 3:5-15 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give you.… I. GOD REGARDS WITH SPECIAL FAVOUR THOSE WHO HONOUR HIM. It is idle to speculate as to whether Solomon would not have received the same blessings if he had not sacrificed and prayed. The fact was, that sacrifice and prayer were the immediate antecedents of the blessings, and are represented as having direct relation to them. Such a fact is sufficient answer to all philosophical objections to prayer, and an emphatic rebuke to those who say it is nonsense to insist that God has any pleasure in our worship and formal expressions of homage. II. WITH PROPER REGARD TO GOD'S WILL WE MAY PRAY FOR SPECIAL BLESSINGS. It was not presumption for Solomon to take God at His word. It would have been unpardonable unbelief had he replied to His offer of good that he could not presume to make mention of what was uppermost in his heart. God never trifles. His offers are never to be regarded as only general evidence of a willingness to do us good, but as real invitations that we make known our requests. There is proof enough that our Father is pleased to gratify the wishes of His children, and it is no pleasure to Him that they pray only in vague and indefinite generalities. The very idea of the relationship forbids such prayer; the idea of prayer itself is opposed to such expressions of desire. III. WE MAY MAKE THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHERS A PLEA FOR GOOD TO BE GRANTED TO OURSELVES. Solomon made mention of David's life and reign as having been pleasing to God, and of God's great mercy to him, and urged this as proof that a purpose to. be upright may become a ground of hope since He who does not change will grant favour always when the required conditions are fulfilled. The faithfulness of God is the real stimulus to prayer. IV. BLESSINGS INCOMPLETE IN THEIR NATURE MAY BE PRESSED AS AN ARGUMENT IN PRAYER FOR THEIR COMPLETION. In David's dying charge to his son he reminded him of God's declaration to himself: "If thy children take heed," etc. Solomon made this declaration the basis of his plea with God in this interview. A large part of Christian work is in progress, the execution of plans which require time and persistent toil. We need not fear lest God will weary of co-operation in such work. V. CONSCIOUSNESS, AND EVEN CONFESSION OF INABILITY TO PERFORM DUTY MAY BECOME A FURTHER WARRANT FOR HELP FROM GOD WHEN THE DUTY IS CLEARLY ASSIGNED BY HIM. The same conviction oppresses many a Christian whom God has called to do work in the different departments of His service. This should not cause him to faint or despair or retire, but should rouse him to greater confidence in prayer while he resolves to stand in the place assigned him. VI. GOD DOES NOT CONTENT HIMSELF WITH GRANTING SIMPLY WHAT WE ASK WHEN WE HAVE THE SPIRIT HE APPROVES. His answer to Solomon's prayer was: "Behold, I have done according to thy words." VII. THANKSGIVING FOR ANSWER TO PRAYER SHOULD BE PROMINENT AND IN THE MOST POSITIVE FORM OF EXPRESSION. (J. Eells, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.WEB: In Gibeon Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I shall give you." |
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