Was It Really a Dream from God?

How did Solomon know he had received a message from the Lord and not simply imagined it? First, notice the reference to God’s dealings with David.

“And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, . . . and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day” (1 Kings 3:6).

Solomon personalized the merciful relationship that had existed between David and the Lord. “There is enough contained in these words to silence every skeptic in regard to God’s sanctioning the sins of David and Solomon. God was merciful to them according as they walked before him in truth, righteousness, and uprightness of heart.” Second, “in the days of Solomon’s father David, the will of the Lord had been revealed to men through the prophets Nathan and Gad (2 Sam. 7:2–17; 12:1–14; 24:11–14), and through special services rendered by the priests (1 Sam. 23:9–12; 30:7, 8). In addition, David himself also frequently spoke under inspiration. . . . Solomon received his communication by a dream. God frequently chose dreams as a method of revealing Himself to His servants, for example, to Abraham (Gen. 15:12), Jacob (Gen. 28:12–16), Joseph (Gen. 37:5–10), and Daniel (Dan. 2:19; 7:1). He also spoke by dreams to those outside the ranks of Israel, for example, to Abimelech (Gen. 20:3–7), Laban (Gen. 31:24), Pharaoh and his servants (Gen. 40:5; 41:1–8), the Midianite (Judges 7:13), and Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2:1; 4:10–18).” Third, “Solomon had every assurance that the dream was of divine inspiration, and that he had come in touch with God. So certain was he that this was the case that immediately upon his return to the capital, he went before the ark and offered sacrifices to God.” “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).