Despite the large number of sacrifices offered by Solomon at Gibeon, that is not the focus of the chapter. Instead, it is Solomon’s encounter with the Lord. The separation of this from the sacrifices may be emphasized by the fact that the encounter took place at night by means of a dream.
The Lord’s appearance here is consistent with Numbers 12:6–8 in which he distinguishes the mode by which he would reveal himself to Moses as opposed to another prophet. There should be no doubt that this dream was really a revelation from the Lord. We should remember that God used Solomon as a vehicle of revelation in a large portion of the book of Proverbs and probably Ecclesiastes.
If we consider rightly what the Lord said to Solomon in the vision, then we will conclude that it was stupendous. He gives Solomon the opportunity to ask of him anything and promises to give it to him. The one who gave the promise was the all-powerful God, the one who created all things. He is the one for whom nothing is impossible. Any promise ever made to anyone else up to that time pales in comparison to this.
Yet, the promise that Jesus gave to his apostles was equal in authority. He told them that whatever they asked in His name would be done for them (John 15:16, etc.). In 1 John we are also told that this promise is addressed to all believers (1 John 5:14).
Some readers may ask if the promise should be qualified by the fact that God knew how Solomon would answer. Yet, Solomon came to the test as a free agent, and the Lord’s knowledge of what Solomon would answer is the knowledge of the action of one who answers freely. To ask what God would do if Solomon asked for riches or long life, is really a non-question. The more pertinent question is whether Solomon would have been given the test if he was foreordained to fail it.
In many areas of life, asking, What if…?
is valuable. The examination of God’s providence is not one of those areas. It is necessary to keep in mind that from the standpoint of God’s eternal plan, he is always the one who acts, not one who reacts. No creature is ever successful in surprising God and forcing him to resort to a new plan.
5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.”