Midrash sa Mga Awit 2:8: Midrash Tehillim & Bereshit Rabbah

“[Were you to] ask it of Me, I would set the nations [as your inheritance]” (Psalms 2:8). [In fact,] if [you were to request the] nations; they are already your inheritance, as it is said, “Let him rule from sea to sea [and from the river to the ends of the earth]” (Psalms 72:8). And if [you were to request until] the ends of the earth; they are already your possession, as it is said, “from the river to the ends of the earth” (ibid.). Rabbi Yochanan said that the Holy One, blessed be He, said to three persons, “[were you to] ask it of Me [I would grant it to you];” and they were – Solomon, Ahaz, and the King-Messiah. Solomon, since it is written, “Ask of me, what shall I grant to you?” (1 Kings 3:5). Ahaz, since it is written, “Ask for a sign [from the Lord your God, from the depths of hell, or the heights above. But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask, nor will I test God]”” (Isaiah 7:11-12). And why was he called Ahaz [literally: holding]? Because he held back good from coming into the world. Alternatively: he held back study halls from toiling in Torah. The King-Messiah, as it is written, “[Were you to] ask it of Me, I would set…” (Psalms 2:8). Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachmani said, we derived two more examples by homiletical exegesis: Abraham and Jacob. Abraham, since it is written, “My Lord, God, what can You give me, [seeing as I go childless, and the one in charge of my household is Elizer of Damascus?]” (Genesis 15:2). This implies that [God] told him to make a request. Jacob, as it is said, “[Jacob made a vow, saying,] “If God remains with me, protecting me [on this journey that I am making, and giving me bread to eat and clothing to wear, and I return safe to my father’s house – then the Lord shall be my God]”” (Genesis 28:20-21). This implies that [God] told him to make a request. And so too it says [regarding David], “He asked You for life, and You granted it to him” (Psalms 21:5). And what did he ask? He asked of [God] that the Jewish people should live and thrive forever.

“Abram said: My Lord God, what will You give me, being that I go childless, and the one who has charge of my house is Damascus Eliezer?” (Genesis 15:2).
“Abram said: My Lord God, what will You give me…?” – Rabbi Yonatan said: There are three people regarding whom it is stated: Make a request. These are Solomon, Aḥaz, and the messianic king. Solomon, as it is written: “In Givon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night, and God said: Request what I shall give you” (I Kings 3:5). Aḥaz, as it is written: “Request a sign for yourself from the Lord” (Isaiah 7:11). The messianic king, of whom it is written: “Request of Me, and I will render nations your inheritance” (Psalms 2:8). Rabbi Berekhya and Rabbi Aḥa say in the name of Rabbi Shmuel: We cite an additional two cases from aggada, Abraham and Jacob. Abraham, of whom it is written: “My Lord God, what will You give me?” He would not have said: “What will You give me…?” unless He had first said to him: ‘Make a request.’ Jacob, as it is written: “Everything that You will give me I will tithe to You” (Genesis 28:22). He would not have said this unless He had first said to him: ‘Make a request.’