1 Kings 4

At least starting out, Solomon did things the right way. He had a heart for others. With his newfound power, he was more worried about having the wisdom to judge his people fairly than he was worried about accumulating wealth or honor. And here, we see that God was true to His word: He gave Solomon what he asked for... and everything he didn’t ask for.

But because Solomon chose the way of a servant instead of a dictator, he ruled over a kingdom in peace. "The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy. And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon’s subjects all his life... he ruled over all the kingdoms west of the Euphrates River, from Tiphsah to Gaza, and had peace on all sides. During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree." (vs 20-21, 24-25)

God’s way brings peace—in any area of life. When we listen to Him, when we submit to His ways, we will find ourselves at peace. We will find ourselves happy and whole. There may still be giants in the land (as there were in Solomon’s day). But surrendering to God’s will makes us able to deal with those giants in a different way.

Nothing God does is arbitrary. And nothing God does is designed primarily for His benefit. Everything He asks us to do is for our best good, because He wants us to eat, drink, and be happy as we live in peace and safety.