"The Greatest Treasure" April 8 Readings: 1 Kings 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 72

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Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026

This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New. 

Bible Readings: 1 Kings 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 72

In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer. 

Background:  

Today's reading is the famous story of God's gift of wisdom to Solomon to establish his throne and to guide him in ruling God's people.

Daily Devotional: The Greatest Treasure

It wasn't a fictional genie in a bottle, but it was the real, living God from heaven. It wasn't three wishes to be spent frivolously, but one wish to be granted by God. Solomon received one of the greatest blessings a man has ever received from God.
Ask what I shall give you. 1 Kings 3:5
There were many options. Solomon could have asked for wealth beyond measure, for a life of ease and pleasure, for victory over his foes, and a peace that comes through conquering all. Anything he wanted, but Solomon made the right choice. He asked for discernment.
“Lord my God, you have now made your servant king in my father David’s place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership. Your servant is among your people you have chosen, a people too many to be numbered or counted. So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?” 1 Kings 3:7-9
He knew that the task God had given him was difficult and that he needed resources beyond his own abilities, so he asked for an obedient heart that would enable him to discern good and evil. He wanted the ability to discern good and evil so that he could make wise choices as he led the people of God.

Discernment is the ability to distinguish the right path from the wrong path. Wisdom is the strength to choose what is right. Solomon wanted discernment so he could walk in wisdom.

The irony is that through choosing the best thing, God gave him everything else as well. He got anything he could have asked for by asking for the thing he could get from no one but God. By choosing wisdom, he received all of life's blessings.

When we seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, all these other things are added to us as well. When we seek the things of the world, we lose everything of eternal value. When we seek God, and God's wisdom, and the blessing that God's wisdom brings, we gain all things of real value.
Lord, may I always choose you and your ways - that which is best. Thank you for the blessings you give to me day by day when I do!

Consider God's Word:


If God gave such an offer to you, would you choose as well as Solomon did?

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