“Solomon responded, “You showed so much kindness to your servant my father David when he walked before you in truth, righteousness, and with a heart true to you. You’ve kept this great loyalty and kindness for him and have now given him a son to sit on his throne.”” – 1 Kings 3:6 (CEB)
Given an open offer, Solomon does not start with the ask. He starts with his father.
You showed kindness to David. You kept faith with him. You have now given him a son on his throne. Before Solomon says a word about what he needs, he spends his opening on what God has already done for somebody else.
That order matters more than it looks. Solomon is not buttering God up. He is locating himself. He is a link in something that started before him, and he says so out loud before he asks for anything. A request made from that position is a different request than one made from the assumption that the story starts with you. Solomon knew he was inheriting something. Who handed you a faith you’ve never thanked them for?
God of my parents and grandparents, remind me whose faithfulness I am standing on. Before I ask for anything, let me name what I was handed. Amen.