( 1 Kings 3:5-15 ) - [ Deutsch ]
Make a Wish
Imagine this scenario: you encounter a fairy, and you're granted one wish. What would you wish for? The theme of making wishes is prevalent in many fairy tales and legends. However, the outcomes aren't always positive. The story of the fisherman and his wife from the Brothers Grimm collection illustrates the downfall of insatiable desires. The couple's unending wishes ultimately lead them to want to be like God, and they find themselves back in their humble hut.
When granted a wish, one should carefully consider what they choose. King Solomon sets an exemplary model for us in this regard when he receives the opportunity to make a wish from God. This account from the Old Testament is found in 1 Kings 3:5-15.
Reading of the Bible passage.
Solomon's Wise and Humble Request
Solomon is only about 20 years old when he inherits his father David's legacy and ascends the throne. The weight of responsibility on such young shoulders is immense. The uncertainty follows young King Solomon even into his dreams. When God offers him a wish, he doesn't hesitate long. He asks for wisdom and understanding, or more literally, a "listening heart."
This is truly impressive. A young man displaying humility, acknowledging his limitations, and recognizing the potential harm a ruler can inflict. Solomon has been entrusted with the people, and they look to him with great expectations. He holds all the powers - political, legal, and spiritual. His request stems from a place of genuine concern: "Give your servant a listening heart... to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil." Solomon approaches his multifaceted tasks with respect.
Reflecting in His Life
Until this day, Solomon's name is associated with a golden era that Israel has never reached again. God also grants him something he hadn't asked for: wealth and honor. The image of Solomon takes on a legendary quality; his qualities are extolled to the highest degree. Solomon, to this day, epitomizes a wise and just ruler, blessed by God and revered and loved by people.
Imperfections of a Human Being
BUT:
Dear congregation, Solomon is still human. Wealth and power test an individual. Solomon succumbs to this temptation, much like many before and after him, even in our time. He becomes insatiable in his desire for women, accumulating a harem of a thousand. As reported, he starts leaning towards foreign gods, and he deviates from complete obedience to God. This leads to conflicts, and a devastating prophecy by Ahijah of Shiloh foreshadows the division of the kingdom.
Solomon is not just wise and obedient to God; his character is depicted as complex in the Bible. And I find this important. Anything else, to be honest, would not seem human. Every individual has flaws and weaknesses. Each of us can acknowledge our mistakes and seek forgiveness from God and fellow humans. God sees our hearts and knows whether we're sincere.
Lord, Grant Me a Wise Heart
As Solomon woke up, behold, it was a dream. So concludes our scripture passage.
Perhaps it is a dream for leaders in crucial roles to possess traits of humility and attentiveness to God's will. Yet, I'm not willing to lose hope: that people continue to seek a listening heart from God, not just in dreams at night but in the full light of day.
The lack of ability to listen is unfortunately a widespread issue: in relationships, families, and beyond. Listening requires time and willingness. Where listening thrives, community can flourish. With God and among one another. Solomon grew richer, mightier, but also greedier. Similar to the fisherman and his wife in the earlier story, loneliness grows on both sides. Desires were meant to fill an inner void. This is the temptation that can lead to addiction. No one is exempt.
Even Jesus of Nazareth experienced these temptations.
He was promised wealth, honor, and power. Jesus declined. Instead, he wished from God:
Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
This is part of the Lord's Prayer, which Jesus passed on to answer the question of what we should pray. About daily bread. For Jesus, this also encompassed good relationships among people. Hence, his next prayer to God:
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Jesus was realistic, he knew life can be full of wicked temptations. Therefore, his wish was for us to resist and be conscious that God desires good for all. Hence, the final part of the Lord's Prayer:
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Ultimately, it's about not trying to be like God, not placing ourselves in God's stead. Instead, embracing our humanity, staying human. For this, I place my hope in God and trust in Jesus.
The stories of the Bible tell me it's worth it.
I know: When wishes turn into prayers, God won't forget, neither will my neighbor, nor will I. Amen.
