If a magical creature offered to grant you any wish, what would you ask for? This scenario has been speculated upon for centuries. A genie in a bottle, a fairy godmother, an angel - something or someone with the power to do so offers us a wish or two or three. It is an enticing situation.

So, what would you wish for? Wealth? Power? Healing for yourself or a friend? A new home? Popularity? Romantic love?

In today's first reading, God comes to king Solomon and offers to grant the king any wish. Solomon knows exactly what he wants. "I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act," Solomon says. "Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong."

Even God is impressed with Solomon's response. "Because you have asked for this - not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right - I do as you requested."

Solomon has a well earned reputation for wisdom. After, he was the one who, when two women claimed the same child, offered to cut the child in half and divide it between the women. When one of the women agreed to this judgment, Solomon knew she could not possibly be the child's mother.

Where did Solomon get his wisdom? He asked for it. When God presented him with the opportunity to ask for help, Solomon seized it for something that truly mattered. He wanted to know how to do the right thing, and to be a good and effective leader.

I don't know about you, but wisdom is not the first thing I would ask for if a genie were to pop out of a bottle and give a free wish. Riches, a long life for myself, fame, success - these desires would certainly enter my mind first. Maybe, if I were to ask for something beyond my immediate material needs, I would ask for peace - that to me would mean the absence of conflict and worry in my life.

Why does God honor Solomon's wish? Probably because it is the kind of thing God would like to do for Solomon in the first place. Solomon is king of the people of Israel. It seems likely that God would want Solomon to have the ability to judge and lead wisely - looking to God for guidance rather than being guided by his own ego or insecurities. Solomon's request, as God points out, is not selfish, but focused on what will strengthen the nation.

Solomon asks for something that will serve him and his community. We would be well advised to do the same. After all, if God grants Solomon his wish "to know what is right," it is likely that God would do the same for each of us. While God does not come to us like a genie in a bottle, God does promise to answer our prayers. If we pray for wisdom, it seems likely that the answer will be "yes."

Bill Peatman writes from Napa. He may be reached at bptidings@yahoo.com.