Worst present ever?

We've all been given presents that weren't really what we hoped for, right? I remember going through the Sears catalog every year at Christmas and marking all the toys or craft kits that I REALLY wanted. Under the tree? I think I got one of those "tagged" toys once. I remember getting two coffee pots as wedding presents. Neither of us drink coffee. I remember giving my mother many cheesy gifts that I picked out as an enthusiastic 8-year-old - and 10-year-old - and 13-year-old. And after this Christmas season you may be wondering how to get rid of that monstrosity from Great Aunt Ethel without hurting her feelings. Or what your spouse was thinking when they picked out that exercise mat/fuzzy purple sweater/power saw/_______(you fill in the blank).

But I had to shake my head in amazement when I read about this wedding present from a dad to his daughter:

"Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer. He had set it on fire. He killed its Canaanite inhabitants and then gave it as a wedding gift to his daughter, Solomon's wife."

1 Kings 9:16 NIV

"A burned out city with bodies lying in the streets? Gee, thanks, Dad..."

And then it was left to Solomon to rebuild the city after he had married Pharaoah's daughter. "Gee, thanks, Dad-in-law..."

I have to say that I'm glad God's gift to us was something better. A mansion in an eternal city vs. a charred city. Salvation vs. destruction. A loving relationship vs. a debt of obligation. And it's one size fits all.

Thanks, Father.