1 Kings 3:5-12 (NRSV)
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Verse 5At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I should give you." Verse 6And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. Verse 7And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Verse 8And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Verse 9Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?" Verse 10It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. Verse 11God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, Verse 12I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.
Devotion
Dreams are central in the lives and spirituality of many Indigenous people. In order to determine their own identity as adults, Lakota men went through a purification ritual and then would travel into the wilderness alone and pray for a dream. A sense of humility was paramount to this ritual in order that God might communicate with the young man. Upon his return, the young man would have a clear sense of his calling to serve among his people.
The Lord appears to Solomon in a dream. Solomon comes to the Lord with humility and a sense of servitude such that he prays, not for himself, but for his people. Solomon comes away from this dream with a clear sense of his calling, that he might better those entrusted to his care. May we all be so full of trust in the Lord that we may listen to our dreams so we may come away with a clearer sense of our calling to serve our Lord.
Prayer
Creator of all things, give to all Your servants clear visions of their callings to serve Your people with steadfast hearts and an openness to Your work in the world. Amen.