Remember the story about the guy who prayed for God to allow him to win just one lotto, how could we forget it? God finally answered his prayer saying, “This time buy a ticket!” What a classic reply that was. There are so many lessons in a story as simple as this one. Thinking back, I do believe all past lottery winners were indeed forced to purchase a ticket [to win] so, in my mind anyway, that seems to be really good advice 🙂 Human nature dictates that when we want something [bad enough] we will tend to place ourselves in the best position of achieving the object of our desire. Yes, I do believe this is what life on planet earth calls for [in general]. Again, one has to remember that we are all stuck here on this rotating ball, no matter your station in life when it comes down to it, everything else is immaterial. Like there’s a reason you and I weren’t born on Mars or Jupiter, where there’s never enough oxygen – or food, or drink, or sports, or television, or video games, or schools or cars to go fast in. We didn’t get to choose the part that God our creator arranged for us and it’s been his way or the highway ever since. Still most of us tend to ignore our creator even into today when our jobs here can be reduced to one common denominator, that being to find a way to be included in his promised “eternal life”… the one and only eternity as has been written.

When we reach the age of maturity most of us come to the conclusion that the most valuable things in life don’t just fall from the sky and into our laps. Even if they did we would view them as suspect. [See Eddie Murphy in “Trading Places”]. However, there will always be a fortunate few where things appear to have come together magically [especially to those not privy to the omniscience of the Creator]. I’m reminded of the story in the Old Testament of the young Son of David and his ascension to the throne as the very inexperienced new “King of Israel”.

Background:
King Solomon is an important figure in the Old Testament for many reasons, I’ll mention a couple significant points here but definitely read 1 Samuel, and 2 Samuel through 1 Kings for a more complete understanding of the details. You will find this, as I have, to be one of the more interesting stories contained in the Old Testament. There are many moving parts that make up the background of this story, but it’s a true testament to how God imparts influence on circumstance to accomplish his will for all [of mankind]. Solomon was the only living Son out of the [once illicit] union between King David and Bathsheba. God was all over King David’s indiscretions as King of the Jews. So much so that God made certain he and Bathsheba’s first Son would go unnamed and not even survive infancy. Later, once King David formally made the [newly] widowed Bathsheba his own wife soon afterward another Son, Solomon, was born. King David had made the promise to Bathsheba that one day he would choose her Son, Solomon, to ascend to his throne. [Back then women feared becoming widows because they had no way of maintaining sustenance. Under Mosaic Law they were not allowed to own land, and land meant everything in order for one to eat in Biblical times.] On the contrary, had another of King David’s Sons been named King instead, his widow, Bathsheba as well as Solomon would have been considered threats to the throne which means that with King David gone they themselves would have been banished, if not murdered.

What has become somewhat unusual today was not so much back in the days of the Old Testament. God spoke directly to his people but mostly those who became known as “Prophets”. One of these prophets, Nathan, carried a message to David he received directly from God. The good news from Nathan was that God intended to make David the King of the Jews and that this kingdom will “reign forever, having no end.” That was a astounding statement to contemplate even back then and would stand as evidential proof later in history that God always keeps his promises. Only later would we find out that Jesus himself descended from the line of David [and Bathsheba]. Pretty amazing stuff when you connect the dots between Jesus Christ and a “kingdom that will reign forever and have no end.” Please see the “Davidic Covenant” for more information.

Back to the Theme:
Solomon’s ascension to the throne as King of Israel wasn’t pretty in the beginning. There were plots from opposing parties who felt they deserved the throne over David, especially an older brother, Adonijah, who had many supporters of his own. However, several of Adonijah’s followers were people who had betrayed King David while he was alive and being aware of this history as the new King, [Solomon], eventually had them all put to death for various incidents. Enough of that, the issue was that Solomon was only 20 years old, if that. An inexperienced young man in every way, who suddenly he finds himself crowned the King of Israel. Okay, he won the lottery, but now what? This is where the story gets interesting, the following are just excerpts –
God asked the new King, “What should I give you?” Solomon only asked God for wisdom which showed that he was wise beyond his years realizing that what he needed most was a receptive heart to judge and lead his people well. God was so pleased that Solomon asked for [only] wisdom and [not a Ferrari or a long life or riches] that he granted King Solomon’s request and added those things he did not ask for: riches, honor, and a long life.

Turns out that the new King greatly expanded the wealth of the nation of Israel, amassing trade routes like never before; wealth well beyond what had ever been accomplished prior for the nation of Israel. Unfortunately, as time went on King Solomon failed to “walk in the ways of the Lord” according to the scripture and this meant there would be a price to pay [you will find this the overriding theme in the entirety of the Old Testament]. Furthermore, King Solomon’s reign was marked by one of mass idolatry – the idolizing of false gods, a practice that the Israelites borrowed from their Canaanite neighbors. I would greatly encourage everyone to read these books I referenced above from the Old Testament… and remember, should you still have your heart set on winning that lottery it’s between you and God, just don’t forget to buy a ticket first! 🙂