Julie
God asks Solomon what he can give him, and Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge where some might have asked for long life or wealth. God actually points out that Solomon basically asked for the right thing and because he did God also granted him wealth. At that time, based on what we have read, people might have asked for those things. Honestly, I think that even now if God were to come down and ask that same question people would say long life or wealth. But the wisdom and knowledge of God will guide us further in our lives and open us up more for the glories of God.
This psalm was a prayer/hymn of David during a time that he was hiding from Saul. He is asking for God to protect him and deliver him from his enemies.
Michelle
I think you are correct, in that people now would first turn to life or wealth or popularity. That seems to be the focus of many. It makes sense that he would and should ask for wisdom and knowledge to lead the people, considering the vast number and overwhelming responsibility that is. Asking God for those things would give you far more than asking anything else. What gave me pause it that after reading that god will be blessing him with what he asked and that he will also provide him wealth, possessions and honor, what is then told about Solomon is how much wealth and possessions he accumulated. It does this in previous readings as well. It seems we hear alot about how much each king has even though that is not or should not be people's focus. It's also interesting that the king of Tyre gives praise to the God of Israel in his response to Solomon. As we have read there are many whom don't believe in our God yet this king gives him praise anyway. Just leaves me with questions.
The preface to this book talks about how Solomon's rule starts out strong because he seeks wisdom from God. And while he receives that gift, as he gets to the end of his life he often turns his back on it. It says we will hear about various kings of Judah and how they alternate bad and good until the Law of God is found, suggesting it was lost at some point. It says that it illustrates that it is possible to start life dedicated to God and end it distracted by false gods and wrong priorities, even the kings of God's own people were not immune to the lure of self-centered desires and false gods. There is also a devotional to the beginning of chapter 2 that speaks of something beautiful for God. This devotional moved me to tears actually. There is a quote from Dorothy Lee Sayers attached that reminded me what my talents are and that I should be using them to benefit God and myself. It says, "[Work] is, or should be, the full expression of the worker's faculties, the thing in which he finds spiritual, mental and bodily satisfaction, and the medium in which he offers himself to God." How powerful is that? The devotional talks about how it is ok to want something for yourself as long as you don't cling too tightly to it. That as the saying goes, One for you, one for me, that we should be using our gifts, wealth, possessions to help God and others. The temple that is built is of the finest quality. And that even though God doesn't need our things, he ordains our work and endows us with creativity and talent. He designed us to be busy about the business of doing things for him, of making all kinds of things that reflect his regenerating grace and that glorify him. The question asked at the end is, "In what beautiful enterprise might God be directing you to be involved?". "Whether it's people, projects, aptitudes, or art, you are given the ability to create something that reveals and reflects some of his greatness. Ask him to provide the resources...the helpers and materials needed to accomplish the goal. Just be sure to give fairly and generously to the author of your gifts and talents. Do a God-sized work for him."
The psalm sounds as if David is needing vindication from his enemies. He asks God for help to be triumphant.
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