Even though David was a man after God's heart, he was precluded from building for God, as his hands had shed too much blood, as the account in I Chronicles 28:3-4 relates. He had received the blue print for the building by the Spirit, (I Chronicles 28:12-19), but God instead chose his son Solomon to build the house.  David commended Solomon to be strong, of good courage and build. We should therefore look at Solomon's life to see what kind of man he was and how he was able to build for God. Solomon, like many of us today, was described as young and inexperienced - 1 Chronicles 29:1 "Furthermore King David said to all the assembly: "My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced; and the work is great".

After God establishes the kingdom of the young and inexperienced king in 2 Chronicles 1:1-17; Solomon has a request to make to God, but he did not just ask for it. First, he took a sacrificial offering, went to the high place and gave it to God, but still he didn’t ask anything. The sacrifice compelled God to show up in 2 Chronicles 1:8 -10, and God said to him “ask what shall I give you”. Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to lead God’s people. God was so impressed with this request that He not only granted him wisdom and knowledge, He also promised him riches, wealth and honor like none before or after him. We note that Solomon’s request was not only selfless; it was for the advancement of God’s people and in line with God’s plan for his life.  What then did he get when he asked for wisdom? The entire chapter of Proverbs 8 describes Solomon’s experience with wisdom: it clearly shows that Wisdom is a personality, a manifestation of the Word, Christ or the Spirit of God (See Isaiah 11:2, 1 Cor 1:24).  Through this wisdom, Solomon reigned and led God’s people.
               
Solomon was very wealthy, but how did he become as wealthy as he was? Proverbs 8:12 exhorts, “I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions” KJV. Ideas are granted to the man with wisdom. 2 Chronicles1:16-17 (NKJV) tells us;  “And Solomon had horses imported from Egypt and Keveh; the king’s merchants bought them in Keveh at the current price. 17 They also acquired and imported from Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for one hundred and fifty; thus, through their agents,[b] they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria”  This scripture shows that he started an import and export business. It gives us a glimpse of one of the sources of Solomon’s wealth.

We serve a God that is the same yesterday, today and forever. We must arise with a sacrificial offering to build Gods house. We need to our requests ready and pay attention as the Spirit of God will open our eyes to ideas, concepts, inspirations and opportunities that will lead to our prosperity. There is a need to be strong and build for God, as the chosen for this task. We must seek God for the wisdom and wherewithal required to build. Arise, do it the right way and God, even our God shall bless us and the ends of the earth shall fear him.

                                                                                    Elder Akinwale Thompson