[Grig]

"That doesn't follow from God's actions"

How so.

"We know what the text says, what Solomon requested and what God granted. We see God responding to Solomon's request in 1 Kings 3:11b. God said Solomon requested "discernment in administering justice." That's what God said of his request. We also have a list of items from God that Solomon could have asked for but didn't...God said "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." "

None of that is in dispute.

What I'm saying is that whether his request was ONLY motivated by selfless motives or not, is not specificly addressed in the text. Also, nothing in the context denies that person can ask for the wisdom needed to fulfill any righteous desires, even if not totaly unselfish (ie: wisdom in career choices). Either one of those two things alone is enough for me to object to someone pointing to those verses and saying that it proves that you can ONLY ask for wisdom for unselfish purposes.

"The record demonstrates a selfless request"

What is your definition of what selfless request is?

It seems likely that the nature (and probably the cause) of our disagreement here is the same as with James 1:5, so lets work that one out first if we can then come back to this after. OK?

[scripter]

What is your definition of what selfless request is?

Good question. Pure motives is a good definition as I see it. In this example I'd say the definition is how God summarized Solomon's request: "discernment in administering justice." And I say that because God listed items Solomon could have requested but didn't, and then God granted him so very much more than he requested.

It seems likely that the nature (and probably the cause) of our disagreement here is the same as with James 1:5, so lets work that one out first if we can then come back to this after. OK?

Could be. And coming back to this is fine with me. I'm slowing working the other piece.