SCRIPTURE: 1 KINGS 3
BIBLE VERSES:
“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” ( 1 Kings 3:9)
“So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” ( 1 Kings 3:11-14)
SOLOMON ASKS FOR WISDOM (vs. 1-15)
Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, king of Egypt by marrying his daughter. He was brought to the City David while Solomon continued building his palace and the temple of the Lord. Solomon walked according to the statue of the Lord except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.
A WISE RULING (vs. 16-28)
Two prostitutes came to the king. Both had a baby living in the same house. During the night, the first woman’s baby died because she laid on him. Then she switched his dead baby and put it in the other woman’s side. So then, the two women argued. The first woman insisted that the living baby was hers.
Then the king gave an order. “Bring a sword and cut the living child into two and give half to the one and half to the other. The real mother said to the king: “Please mY4 lord, give her the living!. Don’t kill him!”. But the other woman said: “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two” (v. 26). So the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Doi not kill him. she is his mother” (v. 27). When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they were astonished because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.
THOUGHTS:
When God asked Solomon what he wanted, he did not ask for wealth but he asked for wisdom and an understanding heart. God was pleased and gave him wisdom, riches power and long life as well. Setting sights on riches will make us crave for more. Therefore, we must ask wisdom from God to know what to do and the courage to follow through it. Applying wisdom to life demonstrates our understanding. Put God first and he will satisfy your deepest needs.