1 Kings 3

Comment:

This is a long and somewhat complicated chapter concerning the relationship between Solomon and the Lord of his being. I'm not going to reprint it here, nor can I cover its contents in depth. The central passage is 3:9, in which Solomon, in a dream, responds to the Lord's offer to give him whatever he asks by saying, "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people." The Lord is pleased that he did not ask for "long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies," and assures him that he will have all those things besides. This is similar, I think, to the promise of Jesus (Matthew 6:32) that if we seek first the kingdom (spiritual consciousness) then all our mortal concerns for food, clothing, and shelter will be easily provided as well.