Definition: And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 1:11. It’s a really important part of understanding why God chose Solomon to be King of Israel. Here's the explanation in simpler terms: Basically, this verse is about God’s plan for Solomon’s reign and his role as king. Here's a breakdown of what it means: “God said to Solomon…” : This sets the stage – God is speaking directly to Solomon. “…Because this was in thine heart…” : This is key! It means that Solomon’s desire – his genuine intention and focus – was the reason for God's choice. It wasn't about what he wanted , but about what he chose to do. “…and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies…” : This is the core of the verse. Solomon didn’t want to be powerful because of material things (riches, fame, power). He didn't want to cause harm to anyone – his enemies. He just wanted wisdom and knowledge. “…neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself…” : This emphasizes that the primary thing he desired was understanding . It wasn’t about living a long, comfortable life, it was about having the ability to make good decisions and understand God's will. So, what does this tell us? God chose Solomon because he possessed a deep and thoughtful desire – a desire for wisdom and knowledge – that would be crucial for leading his people wisely and justly. It’s a powerful statement about the importance of seeking understanding and discernment in leadership. In short, it's a blessing to have someone with a genuine thirst for knowledge and good judgment. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of Solomon's role as king?