You may have heard talk of the proverbial once-in-a-career moment.
When God gave King Solomon the opportunity to ask for anything he wanted, you could say that this was that moment.
And the young rulers response is a masterclass in embracing true kingliness (ie nobility).
Some commentators suggest that Solomon’s kingdom is a prototype of the Kingdom of heaven. So as we continue, let’s look for clues that might help explain what the Kingdom of God might look today.
First, the Bible text:
Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil.
1 Kings 3:7-9
If you identify as a follower of Jesus, then can I ask you this question?
What does it mean to you to be kingly, and just how do you come out of a castle in 2024?
Or in other words, do you know how to come and go before others as representative of King Jesus and His Kingdom?
Solomon’s problem
I reckon Solomon was suffering from imposter syndrome.
He had the title of a king; he had a crown on his head; and he just completed some impressive infrastructure projects (see 1 Kings 3:1). But every time he came and went from his castle he felt like a big fake.
The problem was that he didn’t know how to be a king on the inside.
Solomon knew there was a difference between job title and role competence.
Some suggestions
The first takeaway from this story is the power of knowing what you don’t know.
And yes – there’s a difference between not knowing, and not knowing and actually admitting it.
To others, to God, and to yourself.
He didn’t try to fake it till he made it. He was gut honest with God. And it seems to me Solomon must have done a considerable amount of soul searching and reflection before the moment God turned up in the dream to ask the question.
In comparison to the towering example of his father David, Solomon humbly and without pretence simply said ‘I feel like a little child’.
And if you’re familiar with Jesus teaching about entering the Kingdom of heaven (check out Matthew 18:3), you will see the parallels.
Child likeness and humility are the entry qualities to nobility.
Kings and priests
In some church circles, being a ‘king’ is associated with being self employed and a business owner, and committing to funding church ministries and mission ventures.
These can be worthy endeavours.
But what if nobility is for everyone?
You see, the message of the gospel projects kingliness as a quality that defines every believer; not just the philanthropist or the well heeled.
How about this scripture:
But you are God’s chosen treasure – priests who are kings, a spiritual ‘nation’ set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvellous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world
1 Peter 2:9 TPT
Nobility is the call for every believer
More than ever before, the world around us needs believers who can come and go in front of others and demonstrate kingly behaviour.
We are called to live according to our new DNA; for all who carry the royal blood of King Jesus, there is an inbuilt desire and a grace to demonstrate His will and His ways.
Business owner; non business owner alike, we all have a new identity. We are sons and daughters of the King and are set apart as Jesus followers to be his hands and feet.
We are not meant to live in our ivory towers and stay within the four walls of our churches and our christian communities.
But what if like Solomon, you feel you don’t know how to leave your castle?
Nobles know what to ask
Solomon knew what he didn’t know AND he knew what to ask God for (and what NOT to ask for):
Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words”
1 Kings 3:11,12 NKJV
How about taking a leaf from Solomon’s playbook and consider:
- Confessing to God that you don’t know how. Perhaps like Solomon who looked up to his father as role model whom he could not emulate, you too struggle to live up to the example of someone you admire who has been a demonstration of the Kingdom of God. Tell God about it; share your heart; humble yourself. This pleases Him and He finds childlikeness irresistible.
- Asking God for an understanding heart. This is super legitimate prayer, and asking is the legitimate heart posture of the legitimate relationship we now revel in as ‘sons’ (Matthew 7:9). And asking for wisdom by prayer has been modelled by the greats of Scripture such as the apostle Paul (Ephesians 1:17-23).
- Receiving this by grace through faith. Walk now in a Godly confidence, and believe that what you have asked for you have now received. Invite the beautiful ministry of the Spirit of God within you – welcome His wisdom that is now abounding and flowing within you.
What if
Just imagine if across the city in which you live, Christians everywhere were to do a re-set; rising up as king-priests who carry nobility within; delivering access to supernatural solutions as conduits of Divine wisdom.
Just imagine how transformative this could be.
On culture.
On society.
Yes – it’s time for kings to come out of the castles!
