A Prayer for Wisdom

It’s much easier to critique something than to lead it, but the goal isn’t to become a more refined critic. We’ve all been made leaders, and we have much to learn from Solomon when he was leading well.

David set up his son, Solomon, with great care. He prayed that Solomon would be strong and courageous, that the Lord would be with him, and that the Lord would strengthen him and make him great. As Solomon took over, we see David’s prayers answered and his hopes fulfilled. Solomon established himself in his kingdom, and the Lord was with him and made him great.

One of Solomon’s first actions was to bring all the military and civic leaders together. He took them to the high place at Gibeon—just as his father had done. There’s a massive backstory here. Moses had been given the law from God on how to structure society, which was placed in the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark always went before the people when they traveled and stayed at the center when they stopped. This represented that God was always before them and in their midst. They would camp around it but had to remain outside the tent that housed it. At the entrance stood an altar, because even though the people had sinned and had to be separated from the Ark, a sacrifice could be made to pay their debt.

That blood would cover the mercy seat, allowing the people to come near to God. God meets us at the seat of mercy because of the sacrifice at the altar. Moses brought the Ark to the edge of the Promised Land but wasn’t allowed to take it in. Joshua carried it into Gibeon, then came the time of the judges. Later, Saul became a terrible king, but David succeeded him, and one of his first acts was to gather the military and civic leaders and bring the Ark. David wanted to create a permanent place for it, but because of the blood on his hands from wars, God said his successor would complete that work.

Leadership is not a personality; it’s different temperaments for different times. David was a fighter. Solomon was a builder. Their temperaments were different, but their values were the same.

What are the first steps of a successful king?

1. A successful leader submits to a Sovereign Lord.
   David and Solomon knew there was a King above all kings, and they submitted to Him. You want a leader like this. Not a leader who believes the world revolves around them, but one who recognizes that humans have dignity and value. God cannot be excluded from leadership because He sets the standard. God is not a relic to discard or a tool to use; He is the King to whom we bow.

2. A successful leader asks for the skill to serve.
   In 2 Chronicles 1:7, God asked Solomon what he wanted. Most of us would ask for a change in circumstances, but that betrays a false belief—that if our circumstances were right, we’d be happy. Circumstances always change. Solomon prayed instead for the skill to navigate any circumstance. He asked for wisdom, the ability to serve the people well. He went on to write the book of Proverbs. True wisdom begins when you can admit to God that you lack it.

3. A successful leader builds structures that allow people to flourish.

   God gave Solomon the ability to build an economy so strong that gold and silver became common among the people. This has always been God’s design. From Genesis, God created structure and supplied humanity to fill it. A good leader asks how God has designed people and then places them where their gifts can be maximized for the common good.

Solomon did lead the people into a golden age, but eventually he turned his eyes away from the Lord. He became enamored with possessions. If this is the best humanity can do, what hope do we have?

Jesus. We have Jesus. Solomon—whose name is derived from the word “peace”—was insufficient. But Jesus is our Prince of Peace. He lived the perfect life we could not. He emptied Himself to serve us and gave His life as the true and better sacrifice. He is both the Ark and the Altar. He is the King we need.