READ 1 Kings 5
Solomon forms an alliance with Hiram for help in building the temple.

INSIGHT
Known as a fair, just, and righteous man, David builds an excellent reputation with noble
neighboring leaders. Hiram and David establish their friendship early in David’s reign (2
Samuel 5:11), and 1 Kings 5:1 states: “Hiram had always loved David.” It is perhaps
David’s reputation that prompts Solomon to write in Proverbs 22:1: “A good name is to
be chosen rather than great riches.” Each of us must take this Scripture to heart and
dedicate ourselves to the development of a spotless reputation by being fair, just, and
righteous and by being utterly true to our word.

PRAYER
Offer praise to the Lord whose reputation we share when we live for Him:
Oh, Lord God!
You yourself made the heavens and earth  
By your great power  
And with your outstretched arm.
Nothing is too difficult for you!  
You show faithful love to thousands
But lay the fathers’ iniquity
On their sons’ laps after them,  
Great and mighty God  
Whose name is the Lord of Armies,
The one great in counsel
And powerful in action.
Your eyes are on all the ways
Of the children of men
In order to reward each person
According to his ways
And as the result of his actions
(Jeremiah 32:17-19).

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.  
Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins;  
Do not let them rule me. Then I will be blameless
And cleansed from blatant rebellion
(Psalm 19:12-13).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
And your ways are not my ways.”
This is the Lord’s declaration.
“For as heaven is higher than earth,  
So my ways are higher than your ways,
And my thoughts than your thoughts.”
(Isaiah 55:8-9).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater faithfulness with your time
• The president and national leaders
• Your activities for the day

Finally, offer this closing prayer:
Satisfy us in the morning
With your faithful love
So that we may shout with joy
And be glad all our days
(Psalm 90:14).