II Chronicles‬ ‭1:7

“On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?”” — II Chronicles‬ ‭1:7

Before King David died, he gathered the leaders and people of Israel for one final address. David made it clear that God Himself had chosen Solomon to be the next king of Israel.

David also addresses his deep desire to build a house for the Lord, but the task was not appointed to him. God had appointed his Son to build the temple for His name. David was a man of war who had shed much blood, and because of this, the LORD chose Solomon, his son, for that great work.

When God spoke of His Son building a house for His name, we understand that Solomon’s calling becomes a foreshadowing of God’s greater plan, a glimpse of the redemption God would accomplish for the entire world through our LORD Jesus Christ. As it is written, Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” But He was speaking of the temple of His body.” (‭‭John‬ ‭2:19, 21‬ )

Solomon took his father’s words to his heart and fully committed himself to the task entrusted to him. Before he ever began building the temple, Solomon went to Gibeon, where the tabernacle of the LORD God was located. There, he offered a thousand burnt offerings before God to express his gratitude and thanksgiving.

That very night, Solomon encountered God in a dream. And God said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

Many of us long to hear those words from God. Imagine the LORD God coming to us and asking what we desire. In Solomon’s case, there were no stated conditions placed on God’s invitation. The Lord simply said, “Ask.” The Word of God later confirms that Solomon could have asked for many things. God Himself said, ““...Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—” ‭‭(II Chronicles‬ ‭1:11)‬. This tells us if Solomon had asked for long life, the defeat of his enemies, or great wealth, the LORD would have granted it.

This verse has become a dream for many people, including Christians, who desire God to appear and ask them what they want, almost as if God were a genie granting wishes. But before we claim the promise, we must look carefully at the context.

Solomon was chosen not just to rule over another nation but to lead the very people of God. Along with the crown, he was given a divine assignment to build the temple of the LORD. Solomon was willing and determined to complete this work, using the materials his father, David, had already prepared. For those who are willing and determined to walk in what God has called them to do, God is faithful to respond. As Scripture says, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

This is the God we serve. We cannot outlove Him, outserve Him, or outgive Him. Whatever we place in His hands, He is able to return far more than we could ever offer.

Abraham was willing to trust and obey God, even when it meant leaving everything familiar behind. He believed God, and God counted his faith as righteousness, blessing him and making him the father of faith and a blessing to all nations.

David, the father of Solomon, began his journey as a shepherd, yet God raised him up to become the ruler of Israel.

Isaac was willing to walk in the promise given to his father. Even during a time of famine, he remained obedient, and God blessed him abundantly.

Joseph stayed faithful through seasons of suffering, choosing to trust God rather than grow bitter. In due time, God exalted him and used him to preserve entire nations.

Moses, though he felt inadequate and unqualified, obeyed God’s call. God used him to deliver Israel from bondage and spoke with him face-to-face, showing to us that God works powerfully through those who are willing to follow Him.

Have you noticed that Jesus says this to His disciples repeatedly? Again and again, He tells them, “Ask, and it shall be given to you.” (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9; John 16:24). When Jesus spoke these words, He was not speaking casually or addressing the crowds at random. He spoke them to those who were walking with Him, learning from Him, and being prepared for the work He would later entrust to them. His invitation to ask was directed toward disciples whose hearts were being shaped to align with God’s will and purpose.

Now, we must not misunderstand this. God desires everyone to ask Him, to depend on Him, and to rely on Him fully. Yet the focus here is not merely on what we are asking but on the fact that God Himself invites His people to ask. When we truly walk with God and live in His presence, we often find that we ask for less, not because we lack need, but because our hearts are at rest. In His presence, there is peace, trust, and confidence that God will take care of us. Our prayers become filled with thanksgiving and praise.

Yet the LORD Jesus still calls us to bring our desires before Him, “that our joy may be full.” (John 16:24). Those who love Jesus deeply and abide in Him will not ask for things that would turn their hearts away from His presence. Rather, their requests are shaped by fellowship with Him, and their desires are formed by walking in His will. We see this clearly in the life of King David. In his moments of greatest failure, what terrified him most was not the loss of power, wealth, or position, but the thought of being separated from the presence of God. He cried out, “Take not thy holy spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11) This is the heart of those who truly walk with God not a heart that demands, but a heart that longs to remain in His presence above all else.

In other words, God’s invitation was not about self-centered desires but about partnership with His mission. Jesus made this clear when He taught His disciples about abiding in Him. He said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John‬ ‭15:7‬)‭ Every Christian who walks closely with Jesus can be assured that God hears their prayers. I want to share my personal testimony. This past week had been filled with rain, which is common during December in California. Yet about six months before my son’s birthday celebration, I prayed and asked God for a bright and clear day. By God’s grace, that Saturday turned out to be a beautiful, shining day, and there was no sign of rain at all. My prayer had nothing to do with church ministry. It was simply the prayer of a daughter speaking to her Father in heaven. Our Father God does not forbid us, His children, from enjoying life here on Earth. Instead, He wants us to enjoy His blessings in ways that draw us closer to Him rather than lead us away.

Even before Solomon asked, God already knew what was in his heart, for the Lord declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). He knew that Solomon would ask for wisdom so that he could serve God’s people, and this request pleased Him.

When we come to God not seeking to please ourselves but to honor Him, He delights in answering our prayers in ways that draw us closer to His presence, not farther from it. The Word of God also helps us to understand why some prayers seem unanswered. As it is written, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James ‭4:3‬). Some prayers go unanswered not because God is unwilling, but because what we are asking for could become a stumbling block that might slowly turn our hearts away from Him. Let us keep this in mind and guard our hearts carefully. God’s responses to our prayers are always guided by His love and His desire to keep us abiding in Him.