DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 10 August 2025: Don’t Ask For Junk
Text: 1 Kings 3:1-15 (KJV)
And Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and took Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her into the City of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord, and the wall around Jerusalem.
2 But the people sacrificed [to God] in the high places [as the heathen did to their idols], for there was no house yet built to the [a]Name of the Lord.
3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking [at first] in the statutes and practices of David his father, only he sacrificed and burned incense in the high places.
4 The king went to Gibeon [near Jerusalem, where stood the tabernacle and the bronze altar] to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. One thousand burnt offerings Solomon offered on that altar.
5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night. And God said, [b]Ask what I shall give you.
6 Solomon said, You have shown to Your servant David my father great mercy and loving-kindness, according as he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart with You; and You have kept for him this great kindness and steadfast love, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.
7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of David my father, and I am [c]but a lad [in wisdom and experience]; I know not how to go out (begin) or come in (finish).
8 Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people who cannot be counted for multitude.
9 So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge and rule this Your great people?
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
11 God said to him, Because you have asked this and have not asked for long life or for riches, nor for the lives of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to recognize what is just and right,
12 Behold, I have done as you asked. I have given you a wise, discerning mind, so that no one before you was your equal, nor shall any arise after you equal to you.
13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings equal to you all your days.
14 And if you will go My way, keep My statutes and My commandments as your father David did, then I will lengthen your days.
15 Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. He came to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
KEY VERSE: (1 Kings 3:5) In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
On page 10 of Moody’s Anecdotes, there is an illustration titled, “Ask for Great Things”. It is said that when Caesar gave a precious present, the receiver replied that it was too costly a gift. The emperor answered that it was not too great for Caesar to give. Our God is a great King, and He delights in giving gifts to us, so let us delight in asking Him for great things. Let us ask God for valuables and durables, not junk.
In today’s text, God appeared to Solomon in a dream, giving him a blank cheque to request anything he wanted. He could have asked for physical things like riches, longevity, or the death of his enemies. Instead, Solomon asked for wisdom to rule the nation and know God’s will. God was pleased with his request and gave him surpassing wisdom, plus those physical things he did not even request.
Prayer is one sure way of receiving from our gracious and benevolent God. Never limit His capacity and ability to grant your petition when you pray. The sincere prayers of repentance of sinners will receive God’s attention. Believers get sanctified and Spirit-filled for exploits through consecration, absolute surrender and prayer of faith. The sick and infirm receive God’s gracious healing and cure for their ailments. All who seek in faith never get turned back.
God’s provisions are available when we ask according to His will in the precious name of Jesus. The prayers that please the Lord most prioritise spiritual virtues and place other people’s needs before ours. The content of our prayers reflects the level of our spiritual maturity. Children ask for toys, while adults go for the necessities of life. Solomon’s request for what he lacked challenges us to ask God for the essential virtues we need to know and do His will in all circumstances. When Jesus tells us to ask whatever we will from the Father in His name, He does not expect us to ask for junk.
Today, God invites everyone to ask what they desire. He offers Jesus as the Gift anyone could ever have or ask. When you receive Jesus, you have wisdom and everything with Him. He is greater than Solomon and in Him are hid the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Luke 11:31; Colossians 2:3).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Solomon asked for political wisdom, but you must always ask for greater wisdom to do God’s will.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Esther 6-10
Daily Manna 10 August 2025
