Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. In Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask for what I should give you."
Solomon said, "You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, because he walked before you in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you. You have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today. Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father. I am just a little child. I don't know how to go out or come in. Your servant is among your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can't be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?"
This request pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, and after you none will arise like you. I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you for all your days.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
With my whole heart I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments.
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Blessed are you, Lord. Teach me your statutes.
With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught. He said to them, "Come away into a deserted place, and rest awhile."For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him. Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
What strikes me most about Solomon's request is how counter-cultural it feels in our achievement-driven world. Here's a young king who could have asked for anything—military might, endless wealth, a long life—and instead he asks for wisdom to serve others well. He recognizes his own limitations, calling himself "just a little child," and asks for what he needs to care for God's people.
This humility resonates beautifully with the Gospel scene where Jesus sees the crowds "like sheep without a shepherd" and responds with compassion. Notice that Jesus and the apostles were trying to find some quiet time together—they hadn't even had a chance to eat—but when the need arose, Jesus didn't turn people away. Instead, he taught them.
Both Solomon and Jesus show us what true leadership looks like: it's about serving others' deepest needs, not our own ambitions. Solomon asked for an understanding heart to discern justice. Jesus saw people's spiritual hunger and fed them with his teaching.
What I find beautiful here is how God delights in Solomon's selfless request. When we prioritize wisdom over wealth, service over success, God often gives us more than we imagined possible. Solomon received not only wisdom but also riches and honor—though these came as gifts, not goals.
In our daily work, whether we're managing a team, raising children, or simply navigating relationships, we face moments that require Solomon's kind of wisdom. We need discernment to know when to speak and when to listen, when to push forward and when to step back, when to say yes and when to set boundaries.
The psalm reminds us that this wisdom comes from staying close to God's word, letting it shape our hearts and guide our choices.
What decisions are you facing that would benefit from asking for wisdom rather than trying to control the outcome? How might God be calling you to serve others' needs today, even when it's inconvenient?