God often chooses the silence of the night to give His servants instruction. He can then gain freer access to their hearts than during the day. There is less to draw the mind from Him....
(2BC 1026.1)
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The Lord was testing Solomon. He placed in his mind a desire for the things that would enable him to rule wisely the people of Israel.... [Verses 7-9 quoted.] It was such a prayer as this that Solomon was continually to offer in the days of exaltation and glory awaiting him. And thus those who today are standing in positions of trust in the Lord′s work are to pray. Let them beware of lifting up their hearts unto vanity. Only the prayers of those whose hearts are not filled with self-exaltation and haughtiness will the Lord hear. [Isaiah 58:9 quoted.]
(2BC 1026.2)
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God commended Solomon′s prayer. And He will today hear and commend the prayers of those who in faith and humility cry to Him for aid. He will certainly answer the fervent prayer for a preparation for service. In answer He will say, “Here I am. What wilt thou that I shall do for thee?”1 Kings 3:5.
(2BC 1026.3)
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The lesson to be drawn from this record is more precious than any earthly treasure. He who led Solomon′s mind as he made this prayer will today teach His servants how to pray for what they need (Manuscript 164, 1902).
(2BC 1026.4)
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Possibilities of a Heavenly Commerce—This is a lesson for us. Our petitions to God should not proceed from hearts that are filled with selfish aspirations. God exhorts us to choose those gifts that will redound to His glory. He would have us choose the heavenly instead of the earthly. He throws open before us the possibilities and advantages of a heavenly commerce. He gives encouragement to our loftiest aims, security to our choicest treasure. When the worldly possession is swept away, the believer will rejoice in his heavenly treasure, the riches that cannot be lost in any earthly disaster (The Review and Herald, August 16, 1898).
(2BC 1026.5)
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5-15 (2 Chronicles 1:7-12). Study Every Point Carefully—[1 Kings 3:5-15 quoted.] It would be well for us carefully to study Solomon′s prayer, and to consider every point on which depended his receiving the rich blessings that the Lord was ready to give him (Manuscript 154, 1902).
(2BC 1026.6)
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6. God Dealt According to Faithfulness—[1 Kings 3:6 quoted.] There is enough contained in these words to silence every skeptic in regard to God′s sanctioning the sins of David and Solomon. God was merciful to them according as they walked before Him in truth, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. Just according to their faithfulness, God dealt with them (The Spirit of Prophecy 1:395).
(2BC 1026.7)
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14 (2 Samuel 12:13). David Reproved for Walking in Own Counsel—[1 Kings 3:14 quoted.] Several times during his reign David walked in the counsel of his own heart, and greatly injured his influence by following his impulses. But he always received the words of reproof sent to him by the Lord. These words cut him to the quick. He did not seek to evade the matter, but bore the punishment of his transgression, saying, “I have sinned”(2 Samuel 12:13) (Manuscript 164, 1902).
(2BC 1026.8)
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2-9. David′s Public Relations—[1 Kings 5:2-9 quoted.] David had lived in friendship with the people of Tyre and Sidon, who had not in any way molested Israel. Hiram, king of Tyre, acknowledged Jehovah as the true God, and some of the Sidonians were turning from idol worship.
(2BC 1026.9)
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Today, in our dealings with our neighbors, we are to be kind and courteous. We are to be as signs in the world, testifying to the power of divine grace to refine and ennoble those who give themselves to God′s service (Manuscript 18, 1905).
(2BC 1026.10)
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3-18 (1 Kings 7:13, 14, 40; 2 Chronicles 2:3-14). A Spirit of Sacrifice Vital in Every Phase of Our Work—The beginnings of Solomon′s apostasy may be traced to many seemingly slight deviations from right principles. Associations with idolatrous women was by no means the only cause of his downfall. Among the primary causes that led Solomon into extravagance and tyrannical oppression, was his course in developing and cherishing a spirit of covetousness.
(2BC 1026.11)
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