That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him: Ask for whatever you want me to give you.
2. Chronicles 1,7
Here it is not Satan who is trying to tempt Solomon, but rather it is God Himself.  He wants to know, and Solomon must also know, what it is that will tempt his heart.  Will he, as new king of Israel, ask for money? Or power? Perhaps health and a long life?  Success in his career?  A happy marriage and family?
Solomon considered the question and answered:  I need wisdom to lead the nation!  The task is too big, the problems too many.  How shall I cope if you do not help? I want to hear Your voice when I am at my wit’s end!- That pleased God and He said:  I want to give you that.  And because you did not ask for riches, fame, honour, power, money, health, long life, a career and all these things, I want to give you all of these as well.
Sometimes in life we stand before a decision.  Will it be God’s way or another?  God gives us two choices.  Either follow Him completely or go another way, which may not necessarily be the wrong way.  He knows our decision in advance, even though we do not know it yet.  That is why He asks.
Once I was standing on a little hill, overlooking a vast land.  Before me was the most fertile land in the whole valley;  as farmer I would have loved to have it!  He told me I could have it if I wanted it.  Tempting!  But I realised that this decision would bind me forever, and I would no longer be free to follow Him and His ways.  So I put this wish back into God’s hand.  If it is His will, He can give it to me.  But I want to follow His path!
Several times in my life I have had offers that I accepted immediately – and I was bound for years.  They cost me many tears.  What a pity that I was too stupid to ask the Lord!!
I am once again at a point where the Lord is asking me a question.  What will I decide?  Will the old Adam conquer, the proud, stubborn me?  It is not a matter of sin or guilt.  Should I decide for myself, it would not be a sin.  But neither would it be God’s will for my life;-  fulfilment will only be found in His presence.
Lord, give me courage to follow You, instead of listening to my proud, lazy inner voice!  I want to follow You, because in You I will find fulfilment. You know all things, and You know the road and the destination.  Without You I am lost.  But with You I will find peace, joy and fulfilment in my life!