When the Lord 'appeared to Solomon in a dream by night' and said, 'Ask what I shall give thee,' Solomon wisely asked for an understanding heart. Knowledge is learning what God wants me to do. Wisdom is learning how to do it. Understanding is learning why to do it. God isn't just interested in you knowing what you believe. God is also interested in you knowing why you believe what you believe. In Proverbs God not only told the young man to avoid the strange woman and the evil man. God also told him 'why.' When children ask the question 'Why?' it is not enough for parents to answer, 'Because I said so.' A key to passing beliefs, standards, and convictions on to the next generation is by giving them 'understanding.' 'Understanding' is also vitally important as a motivation to cause someone to seek after knowledge.
