1 Kings 3:7-9 ESV
1 Kings 3:7-9: 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
Introduction
When Solomon became king, he immediately felt the weight of responsibility. So when God asked him what He could give him, Solomon did not ask for wealth, power, or victory over enemies; he asked for wisdom to lead God’s people well.
Subsequently, his request reveals a critical truth: leadership without wisdom is dangerous because people’s lives are at stake. And lives are precious in God’s kingdom.
This truth applies not only to kings and pastors, but also to husbands and fathers. Because the first place a man exercises leadership is not in public but at home.
Furthermore, Scripture consistently presents the household as the proving ground of godly leadership (1 Timothy 3:4-5).
Body
Exposition
Nevertheless, notice three things from Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings 3:7-9.
1) He Accepted Responsibility
Solomon recognized that he was not leading Israel but was leading the people of God. And God valued His people.
Therefore, all leadership positions are to be viewed as platforms of stewardship. And stewardship is a critical kingdom principle.
Consequently, a man, his wife, and children, and the position of head of household all belong ultimately to God. The man (the one with the highest authority) has the responsibility to oversee what he has been entrusted with by God.
2) He Acknowledged That He Was Inadequate
Solomon prayed, “I’m only a young boy with no experience”. That’s humility!
Think about this: How many men have tried to lead their families with confidence but have not gotten wisdom from God?
The way to start biblical leadership is to realize that we don’t know how to love, guide, discipline, prepare, and nurture in the right way.
3) He Asked For Wisdom To Govern Well
Solomon therefore sought understanding (or the ability to discern and make the right decisions). This is what every husband and father needs daily—wisdom about communicating with each other, resolving disagreements, successfully parenting their children, managing their finances, making good priorities, and providing spiritual direction for their family.
The New Testament agrees that the order of leadership is as described above, in referring to what Paul wrote to Timothy: “He must be able to shepherd his wife and children, because an individual who cannot manage his family will be incapable of managing the Church.” (1 Timothy 3:4-5)
This clearly illustrates that home leadership comes first. Without proper leadership at home, there can be no proper public leadership. The way in which an individual manages his family, raises his children, and oversees financial matters will give him the credibility needed for public and spiritual leadership.
Practical Application
Men, therefore, need wisdom in at least four key areas:
1. Marriage
Showing love through sacrifice; listening with patience; leading gently through thoughtfulness and prayer.
A wife will typically flourish when her husband leads with thoughtfulness and prayer.
2. Parenting
Knowing when to give correction and encouragement, when to speak, and when to remain silent because children require direction (not just provision).
3. Finances
Planning (budgeting), spending, saving, and responsibly giving are ways to be wise in the area of finance. Confusion in finance is often indicative of a leader who is leading, but does not possess wisdom.
4. Spiritual Direction
Setting the tone for prayer, Bible study, attending church, and having a godly home should begin with the father’s responsibility to lead spiritually. A family will not exceed the father’s spiritual leadership.
Like Solomon, a man must intentionally ask for this wisdom. It does not come automatically with marriage, fatherhood, or age, but from God.
Reflection
- Am I doing what I can to invite God’s influence over my family?
- Where in my leadership at home is God’s wisdom currently most needed?
- Am I putting more emphasis on my leadership in the community than on my leadership in my own home?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come before You today as the provider of my household under Your authority. Just as Solomon sought You for His wisdom, I too recognize that I need You to impart wisdom to me in the areas of loving my wife, raising my children, managing my finances, and leading spiritually. I ask that You would grant me discernment to make sound decisions and humility in my role as a leader so that I may be able to lead in a manner that both gives You glory and blesses my family. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
Call to Action
Take time today to intentionally request wisdom from God in a certain area of leading your family.
As part of your effort to lead your family wisely, take some action, whether initiating a conversation, making a plan, praying with your family, or changing a decision, that puts this request into practice. God provides wisdom to anyone who asks (James 1:5).
Additionally, watch a video version of this devotional on YouTube and/or explore How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners)
