What you're dismissing is the preceeding and immediate context - the history and the current situation.
Now one of you guys (I'm not going to bother to check who right now because I am very tired) cited these events as an example of being able to ask for wisdom for unselfish purposes (in a way that indicated asking for wisdom ONLY for unselfish reasons).
I think you'll find that task a little difficult. Nobody that I can recall said the passage supported asking for wisdom only.
I'm saying his motive was not 100% unselfish, he gets the perk of being liked and remembered as a good leader instead of a hated bumbling fool of a king, plus the potential to make wise decisions all through his life. (Having wisdom is not the same thing as having the character to do what is wise as his life shows later on). I would call it a righeous desire, but I wouldn't call it 100% unselfish.
That's 100% eisegesis. God said: because what Solomon asked for was wisdom to lead the great people of God [context], and that was his "heart's desire" [direct quote from God], God granted his request and then some. Of course if anyone knows our hearts it's God.
Wisdom really is better to have than those other things and he knew that.
Indeed. Solomon was a man after God's own heart.
Likewise, an unemployed person might pray for the wisdom to find a good paying job. Not because he lusts for material things, but because he desires to use that income in godly ways such as raising his family, giving to charity, and using the power of wealth to do good in the world.
I agree. And 2 Chronicles chapter 1, Matt 7 and Luke 11 are the examples to use in support of that idea.
I think people always do what they really belive will benifit them most, but many people have a mistaken ideal of what will benifit them most. People who choose what is right and good do so in part because they have a more correct understanding of what will benifit them most.
One who truly seeks Gods will for their life will ask God using the basis: will God be glorified if I take this job or that other job. Sometimes the answer is "yes" without a specific answer on which job to take. In that case he leaves it up to us.
1 Kings 35 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
6 Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
7 "Now, O 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.
8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.
9 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?"
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.
11 So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,
12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for-both riches and honor-so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.
14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."
It's clear Solomon had a pure heart when asking for wisdom. I'm now revising my earlier statement that 2 Chronicles chapter 1 is the best examples to use when requesting wisdom, as 1 Kings 3:5-14 appears to be the original source.