The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 63

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS Al;JTHORS. Vers. 8-16; iv. 2-84.-The prayer of Solomon and its fulfilme>it. "Ask what I shall give thee." THE PRAYER OF SOLOMON IS THE TYPE OF TRUE PRAYER, ,ve learn from it (1) The power of prayer; (2) The condition on which it ie granted; (8) Its result. I. THE PoWER. "Prayer," said Adolphe Monod, "sets in motion the whole power of God." The words of God to Solomon show us this Almighty power, placing itself, as it were, at the disposition of human weakness. When the Son of God came to earth, taking upon Himself our frail humanity, that He might perfectly sympathize with all its woes, He spoke in the same way to the poor blind Barti- mreus: "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" (Mark x. 61). Before going back to heaven He addressed the same language to His disciples: "Whatsoever ye Bha,ll aBk the Father in my name, He will give it you" (John xvi. 28). Let us then ask all that we need with holy boldness, for it is God Himself who bids us do so. Like the father of the prodigal son, He always comes to meet us. Our hopes and desires can never be so large as His promises. We truly honour Him when we make His love the measure of our trust. II. THE CONDITIONS ON WHICH OUR PRAYERS A.RE GRANTED ARE: (a) Full trust in this infinite love, and grateful remembrance of favours received: " Thou hast showed unto David my father great mercy . . . . and hast given him a son to sit on bis throne" (ver. 6). (b) The consciousness of our own helplessness and weakness : " I am but as a little child, and know not how to go out or come in'' (ver. 7). (c) The precedence given to spiritual over temporal gifts: " Give thy aervamt an understanding heart " (ver. 9). Prayer is not intended to bring to us at once all material prosperity. Such an answer to prayer might be often injurious, hardening the heart, and depriving us of the salutary discipline of trial. If the thing we sought beyond all else was material prosperity, we should be mere mer- cenaries. We are always heard, but not always in the way we desire, so far as our earthly life is concerned. But when we ask of God a new and understanding heart, we are asking that which He is pledged to grant, for it is written: "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not." III. THE RESULT OF THE PRAYER OF SoLOMON was not only the spiritual grace he sought, but also the prosperity and glory of his reign. "I have also given ..thee that which thou hast not asked'' (ver. 13). There is a general application boTh to individuals and nations of the words of Christ: " Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you" (Matt. vi. 88), with the exception of afflictions, which may be necessary as discipline, and on the condition that we walk in the ways of the Lord (ver. 14), for the mercy of God, free as it is, is still bound up with His holiness, and cannot suffer the violation of His laws.-E. DE P. Vers. 5-16.-A wiae prayer. Gibeon, the scene of this incident, was one of the "high places" of the land. Worship in high places had been forbidden. Law against it not rigidly enforced until the place was chosen "where the Lord would cause his name to dwell." That Solomon's act in sacrificing at Gibeon was not condemned is proved by his being favoured with this direct Divine communication. }:very scene of real worship may become the scene of special Divine manifestation. " The Lord appeared unto Solomon in a dream of the night." Whatever our theory of these dreams of the olden times, it was evidently nn articulate and intelligible Divine communication that Solomon had, and his spirit was intensely active. His choice of wisdom rather than riches, &c., was an act of judgment, a decision of the will, and therefore indicative of moral character. The whole spirit of his prayer most honourable to him. The prayer is, in a sense, answered before it is presented. Every holy yearning of the pious soul contains within itself the pledge of its own fulfilment. l. THE NAT0RE OF TRUE WISDOM. A power of moral cliscern.ment, "An under- dB. Ill, 1-16.) '1'iIE FIB.ST BOOK OF KINGS. 57