You’re A Wise Sunflower, Solomon

By: C.N.

“Lean on me, when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on.” Bill Withers released “Lean On Me” in 1972, and it became a mega hit; it appeared in commercials, T.V. shows, movies, and seemed to be the only song that schools could find on their graduation day playlist (don’t get me wrong, I love the song, but variety is the spice of life. Haha). We all need help sometimes; no one has life figured out 24/7 (like I clearly needed help cooking these fish sticks -why do they taste like greasy rubber bands?). When we don’t know how to do something, or we’re unsure of what our next steps should be, we ask for help. We don’t ask just anyone for help, however, but someone who we think knows more than we do, such as our Mom or Dad (kids, don’t ask your 2-month old brother how to shoot the dog out of a cannon, because you want him to be in the “circus.” Don’t do that to the doggy!). It’s important for us to know that God knows everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING.

God created this entire world in 6 days (including humans->what’s up, Adam and Eve?!), and he knows what questions we’re going to have, and the answers to them, before we even ask them (mind…BLOWN)! God wants us to recognize that HE has all of the answers, that HE’S in control, and that HE can solve any problems that we may have (My God’s gon’ get you! My God’s gon’ get you!). When we ask God for help, he will gladly answer our calls-he won’t rush the call, have someone else pick it up, hang up on us, or send us straight to voicemail (you all know who you are! Haha). God loves us and wants to help us, so when we pray to him (in the mighty name of his son, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ), he’ll ALWAYS respond. This brings us to the story of King Solomon seeking God’s wisdom in the Bible.

1 Kings, Chapter 3, marks the beginning of King Solomon’s reign as the King of Israel. Solomon was very young when he became King (dawww, look at that peach fuzz and ONE HAIR on his chin, thinking he’s a man?!), and he had a lot to learn about leading God’s people. King Solomon had married the Egyptian Pharaoh’s daughter, hoping to keep peace between Israel and Egypt (hey, Egypt! Y’all are coming over for dinner, right?). King Solomon is yet to build a temple (a building solely for worshiping God) for God’s people, and due to this, the Israelites were making sacrifices (killing an animal and giving it to God, which God does NOT require us to do anymore)  at high places, including the altar (table) at Gibeon, the highest place in the land. King Solomon regularly traveled to Gibeon to make sacrifices to God-he made 1,000 sacrifices at Gibeon (he’s feeling GRAND today; that’s the greatest GRAND ever spent!). God recognized how faithful King Solomon had been to him, and while Solomon was asleep, God appeared to him in a dream, and asked him the following question:

1 Kings 3:5 (KJV): Ask what I shall give thee.

God told Solomon to ask him for anything that he wanted, and Solomon’s response was as follows:

1 Kings 3:6-9 (KJV): Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

Solomon, you wise watermelon, you! God was happy that Solomon did not ask him for money, fame, big cars, big houses, bling-bling, for his enemies to be killed, etc., but asked him for wisdom so that he knew right from wrong, and could lead the Israelites in the right way (Solomon didn’t know jack squat about being a king). God was so pleased with King Solomon that he made Solomon the wisest man that has ever lived (that boy was smart!), he gave Solomon money, riches, and honor (R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Solomon is your boy king! R-E-S-P-E-C-T…), and promised King Solomon a long life, as long as he obeyed the Law as his father, David, had (we remember David!->”King David: Royal Rump Shaker”->https://jesusbedtimestories.com/king-david-royal-rump-shaker/). Now that God has blessed King Solomon and his reign as the King of Israel, Solomon wakes up, returns to Jerusalem, and hosts a huge festival, presenting sacrifices to God before the Ark of the Covenant (where the original Ten Commandments are believed to be held). There’s more to the story of King Solomon’s wisdom, but we’re going to save it for my “Are These Women Crazy?” series. Stay tuned! Haha I MUST re-write this story with a modern twist! Get ready, get set, GO! NOTE: I will be utilizing modern-day language, technology and ways of living in this story, as we’re picturing this happening today.

You’re A Wise Sunflower, Solomon

By: C.N.

Biblical Reference: 1 Kings 3:1-15 (KJV)

*Solomon has become the King of Israel, has married the Egyptian Pharaoh’s daughter, and loves God with all of his heart (just as his father, David, had). Solomon has not yet built a temple for the Israelites to worship God and offer sacrifices to him (in the words of Mr. T, “I pity the fool!”), but they make sacrifices to God in high places. Gibeon is the highest place in the land, and King Solomon has made 1,000 sacrifices there (and here’s what you’ve won!). King Solomon is worn out and needs a power nap; God appears to him in his dreams*

King Solomon: Man, am I tired! Being the King of Israel is a lot of hard work. I have presented these sacrifices to God and need my beauty rest; Wifey says I look like a buff Channing Tatum on a hot summer day-that’s what I’m talking about! This six-pack is all for you, Baby! It’s all for you! I’ll take a nap right here near the altar; I’m resting in the Lord. Hallelujah!

*God appears to King Solomon in a dream while he’s sleeping in Gibeon; things are about to get juicy! Where are my Starbursts and my Juicy Fruit?*

GOD ALMIGHTY: Ask what I shall give thee.

King Solomon (still asleep and dreaming): God, you were good to my father, David. He loved women a little too much (bow chicka, wow-wow), but he loved you, he worshiped you, he always put you first, he never lost faith in you, and he TRIED to live the right way. I see that you greatly blessed him, including allowing me to follow in my father’s footsteps and become the King of Israel. I have to be honest with you, God. I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know how to be a king. I’m just a kid; I just learned how to shave without cutting myself (he almost parted his chin and created a Red Sea of his own, y’all; blood does not taste like ketchup, everyone).

I know that the Israelites are your people, God, and I want to lead them in the right way. Please give me the wisdom to know right from wrong, to make good decisions, and to lead them in a way that makes you smile. I don’t want to mess this up, God. You remember when I tried to help my Dad back the car into the garage (Solomon stood outside and gave his father hand signals), and he crashed into a ladder, ran over my sister’s bike, knocked that big can of white paint over (and it splattered EVERYWHERE), and almost hit Fluffy (the family dog). I was grounded for a week; it was bad (you’ve got it, you’ve got it bad, when you’re on the phone…sorry. Haha). Please help me to lead your people in the right way, God.

*Thata’ boy, Solomon! God was very pleased that Solomon didn’t ask for those new Jordans or tickets to All-Star Weekend, but asked him for wisdom to lead his people. Great wisdom breeds great rewards*

GOD ALMIGHTY: Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

King Solomon (still sleeping and dreaming): Are you serious right now, God?! Like forreal, forreal? Not only will you give me the wisdom to lead your people, but you’re going to bless me with money, a new house, a new bike (he can’t drive yet, y’all. Haha), some new school clothes, those new Jordans, people will respect and listen to me, and Rod will stop trying to steal my lunch money (give him a delicious knuckle sandwich! Just kidding. Jesus loves you. Haha)?

GOD ALMIGHTY: Yes, my dearly beloved servant. I, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and your Heavenly Father, have your back.

King Solomon (still asleep and dreaming): Thank you so much, God! Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! I owe you BIG TIME! I promise that I won’t let you down (at least not yet. Haha)!

*King Solomon awakes from his sleep at the altar of Gibeon*

King Solomon: Wow! What a dream! God is good! Let me hurry back home to Jerusalem to throw the biggest Holy Ghost party that this world has ever seen! I’m talking food, dessert, music, dancing, games, a bouncy house, but most importantly, presenting sacrifices to God and worshiping him until I pass out (UncleReeceTube, “Uncle Reece-Until I Pass Out (Official Video)” (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeiP0vGKhIo)! I definitely take after my Dad (get down with your bad self, David! The apple didn’t fall far from the tree). Everyone is invited (even Rod; if he acts up, I’ll push him into the pool and get his new outfit wet. Hehehehe Just a little clean fun, God!)!

*King Solomon returns home to Jerusalem, hosts a huge festival for the people, and makes sacrifices to God before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. Everyone has a good time, even Rod (he didn’t act up, and King Solomon didn’t have to push him into the pool; Solomon did throw a whipped cream pie in his face, though. Come on! He needed something! Haha)*

King Solomon & His Party Guests: Praise God!

AUTHOR’S NOTE: People got married really young during Bible days, but that is NOT how things usually happen today. Kids, please don’t ask your parents if you can get married now; they’ll laugh at you, pass out from laughing (wooo, child!), get back up, tell you that you’re too young, and give you some chores to do. Everything in God’s time! I love you all, God bless you all, and I’ll see you all on the next one!

-C.N.