When God gave a blank cheque to Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted, he opted for wisdom and understanding to execute his God-given task of governing the people. The Bible says that his speech pleased God. “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.” I Kings‬ 3‬:11‬-12‬ NKJV‬‬. It is evident that Solomon’s request was a breath of fresh air. There was something radically different in that prayer than what God was used to hearing.

Truly, it is not how long but how well. Beyond the appeal of long life is eternal life; those who have eternal life have little to worry about duration on earth.

God commended Solomon for three things, and the first on the list was that he did not ask for himself long life. It is typical of human beings to desire long life. While there may be nothing wrong with this, it should not be the most consuming desire of anyone. In Genesis chapter 5, we are treated to the biographies of several actors. Six of them crossed the 900th year mark on earth. Of all the people listed in this chapter, Enoch’s years were the fewest, living only for 365 years. However, no one received divine endorsement like him. He was the only one said to have walked with God and taken without seeing death. Truly, it is not how long but how well. Beyond the appeal of long life is eternal life; those who have eternal life have little to worry about duration on earth.