If God gave you one wish, what would it be? Though God loved Solomon from the time he was born (II Samuel 12:24), when God said to ask for whatever he wanted, Solomon found God’s favor by asking for wisdom instead of riches and power (II Chronicles 1:11-12).

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

Before Solomon was born he was chosen to build the temple, something his father David wanted to do (I Chronicles 28:3). When Solomon prayed and dedicated the temple, God showed up in a mighty way (II Chronicles 7:1). Even though Solomon was a great king, he had his faults. He sinned against God through his activities with women from other countries (Nehemiah 13:26). In Ecclesiastes, Solomon looked back on his life – his riches, his education and his accomplishments – and he concluded that all of it was vanity. He summed up the purpose of life with today’s verse.

Today, you have that advice gleaned from all of Solomon’s wisdom and experience, not to mention Jesus’ greatest commands to love God and others. Seek to live a life pleasing to God, then pray that He will rise up national leaders like Solomon who will humble themselves in prayer and rely on God’s wisdom.

Recommended Reading: Matthew 6:19-33