1 Kings - Chapter 3

In this chapter God tells Solomon to ask for whatever he wants God to give him.  Solomon asks for wisdom - a request that pleased God.  God was pleased that Solomon did not ask for long life or wealth or the death of his enemies.

This is a picture of Jesus.  Jesus did not have a long life on earth.  In 2 Corinthians 8 Paul says that although Jesus was rich, for our sakes he became poor.  And as he did on the cross he prayed for forgiveness for those who were crucifying him.

And in 1 Corinthians 1 Paul says this about wisdom:

"God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."