My apologies that this post had to be republished. I had a major website glitch over the weekend which caused me much grief AND caused me to lose two posts. Thank you for your patience as my site is being restored. God bless.

Solomon.

Second son of King David and Bathsheba.

His name means peaceable.

He built the first temple in Jerusalem.

He also built for himself a magnificent palace with elaborate gardens.

He constructed roads and government buildings in Jerusalem.

He had thousands of chariots and horses.

He made peace with his neighbors to secure trade.

He was the wealthiest king in his time.

He was a writer, poet and even a scientist!

He wrote most of the book of Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes and two Psalms.

How did all of that come to pass for one man?

God had come to Solomon in a dream and told him he could have anything that he asked for. This was Solomon’s reply:

“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 1 Kings 3:7-9 NIV.

He didn’t ask for wealth and riches, nor did he ask for fame, power or other earthly things. He asked for a discerning heart to govern the people and to be able to distinguish between right and wrong.

He asked for Wisdom and acknowledges he is but a servant.

God answers his request and says,

“Then God said to him: ‘Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.’” 1 Kings 3:11-14 NKJV.

His request was granted and then some! God was pleased with his answer and gave him more than he even asked for. Solomon was known as the wisest man who ever lived.

Elisha.

Prophet of God.

Successor of Elijah.

Servant of the people.

His name means God is salvation.

Anointed by Elijah while plowing his father’s field.

Elisha was a student of Elijah. He followed him everywhere just wanting to learn anything and everything he could from this great man of God. He had already been anointed as Elijah’s successor and he knew Elijah was going to be taken from him soon.

“And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”

Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

A double portion of his spirit! He didn’t ask to be able to perform more miracles than Elijah, he didn’t ask to be more well- known than his predecessor…what he really asked for was Relationship! He wanted to know the One that had given Elijah all of his power and strength. What does Elijah tell him?

So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!”

Elijah said if Elisha saw this miracle of him being caught up into heaven then his request would be granted!

So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.” 2 Kings 2:9-14 NKJV.

I love that the first thing he did was test the waters. “Where is the LORD God of Elijah?”

The water divides, Elisha crosses over and the answer has come: The LORD God of Elijah rests upon YOU, Elisha!

Elisha’s role lasted for the next 50 years and his last miracle happened after he died! The LORD God performed exactly TWICE the number of miracles through Elisha than Elijah!

Miracles of Elijah:

• Caused the rain to stop for 3 1/2 years (1 Kings 17:1)
• Fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:4)
• Miracle of the barrel of meal and cruse of oil (1 Kings 17:14)
• Resurrection of the widow’s son (1 Kings 17:22)
• Called fire down from heaven (1 Kings 18:38)
• Caused it to rain (1 Kings 18:45)
• Prophesied to Ahab that his sons would be killed (1 Kings 21:22)
• Prophesied Jezebel would be eaten by dogs (1 Kings 21:23)
• Prophesied that Ahaziah would die (2 Kings 1:4)
• Called fire down from heaven upon the first 50 soldiers (2 Kings 1:10)
• Called fire from heaven upon the second 50 soldiers (2 Kings 1:12)
• Parting of the Jordan (2 Kings 2:8)
• Prophecy that Elisha should have a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:10)
• Was caught up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11)

Elisha:

• Parting of the Jordan (2 Kings 2:14)
• Healing of the waters (2 Kings 2:21)
• Cursed the bears (2 Kings 2:24)
• Filling of the valley with water (2 Kings 3:17)
• Deceived the Moabites with the valley of blood (2 Kings 3:22)
• Miracle of the vessels of oil (2 Kings 4:4)
• Prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son (2 Kings 4:16)
• Resurrection of the Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4:34)
• Healing of the gourds (2 Kings 4:41)
• Miracle of the bread (2 Kings 4:43)
• Healing of Naaman (2 Kings 5:14)
• Perception of Gehazi’s transgression (2 Kings 5:26)
• Cursed Gehazi with leprosy (2 Kings 5:27)
• Floating of the axe head (2 Kings 6:6)
• Prophecy of the Syrian battle plans (2 Kings 6:9)
• Vision of the chariots (2 Kings 6:17)
• Smote the Syrian army with blindness (2 Kings 6:18)
• Restoring the sight of the Syrian army (2 Kings 6:20)
• Prophecy of the end of the great famine (2 Kings 7:1)
• Prophecy of the nobleman (2 Kings 7:2)
• Deception of the Syrians with the sound of chariots (2 Kings 7:6)
• Prophecy of the seven-year famine (2 Kings 8:1)
• Prophecy of Benhadad’s untimely death (2 Kings 8:10)
• Prophecy of Hazael’s cruelty to Israel (2 Kings 8:12)
• Prophecy that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab (2 Kings 9:7)
• Prophecy that Joash would smite the Syrians at Aphek (2 Kings 13:17)
• Prophecy that Joash would smite Syria three times but not consume it (2 Kings 13:19)
• Resurrection of the man touched by his bones (2 Kings 13:21)

Wisdom and Relationship equal strength and power!

“If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all men liberally.” James 1:5.

It is no different today. We can have that wisdom and the relationship if we stay at His feet. If our heart is right, our spirit is right, if there are no hidden agendas and motives, then the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us with strength and power!

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NKJV.

What would YOU ask God for?

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