In 1 Kings 3:16-28, we see an illustration of the supernatural wisdom with which King Solomon was blessed. In Israel, the king was the ultimate “judge” of the land, and any citizen, even the basest prostitute, could petition him for a verdict.

Solomon carefully lived by God’s rules at the start of his reign, and God gave him success. Solomon asked God for wisdom, and with it, God gave him economic prosperity and fame. God expects everyone to use their gifts to do His will. When they do, everyone else benefits.

Two prostitutes who were roommates approached him with a delicate and complicated legal problem: namely, the true identity of a newborn baby. Both women claimed the baby as theirs. One woman accused the other of intentionally switching her dead baby for the live one, and the other countered that the first woman was lying and that the living baby belonged to the second woman.

In ordering his servants to cut the child in two, he knew the liar would not object, but out of maternal compassion the real mother would. Solomon, now tested, solved the dispute by appealing to maternal instincts and human compassion, knowing that the real mother would rather give her child to another than watch him die. The people’s response to Solomon’s judgment further proved that wisdom of God was on Solomon; this was an unusual, supernaturally supplied gift. The people feared Solomon because he operated with the wisdom of God, and they knew that they could not fool him or make false accusations against someone.

There is a similar situation in our modern democracy. Democracy is a give-and-take enterprise. Every eligible citizen has a vote and a voice, but none of us get everything we want in any given contest. In all our disagreements, we must be mindful to know what we might forfeit with wanton hostility. Winning our claims at the cost of losing democracy is a loss for everyone-because democracy gives even the losers a chance to live to fight another day.

Solomon had confidence in the wisdom bestowed upon him by God. He must have known no other power could enable him to make better decisions than by his using God’s gift. He was truly blessed to be wise. Solomon was probably the second wisest person to ever walk the face of the earth-the wisest person being Jesus. The wisdom that can only come from God is a tremendous thing to possess. Sometimes it is hard to make the right choice. Godly wisdom directs us in the way God desires. There are many gifts one can receive from God. Wisdom is definitely one that will help guide our way through life.

It’s apparent when we meet someone who possess wisdom. They are quick to listen, and when they speak, it’s with words of truth that can only come from being in tune with God. We should follow Solomon’s example and simply ask God for the gift of wisdom. The Bible says He gives it to anyone who asks without judgment. If we ask for wisdom, we will be counted among the wise.

Wisdom is necessary as we decide what’s fair and moral, right and wrong. If we truly value wisdom, we can ask God for a discerning heart, like Solomon did. God may answer our request by helping us balance our needs and desires with the interests of others. He may also help us weigh short-term benefits against long-term (sometimes eternal) gains so we can honour Him in how we live. Our God is not only a perfectly wise judge, but He is also a personal counselor who is willing to give us godly wisdom in great amounts.

There is a lesson here for all relationships. We must not let our love for someone else stifle that person’s life and spiritual growth by holding that person too close to ourselves. Genuine love is willing to give up the beloved. Acting in love often requires self-sacrifice. As one of my former girlfriends once told me, true love means caring for someone else more than you care for yourself. If we strive to be free of impure motives in our dealings with others, we will honour God and receive the reward of His pleasure.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p.446)
2. Dilday, R., & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 9:1,2 Kings (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1987; pp. 65-67)
3. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
4. Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010)
5. Kenneth Samuel, “Keep the Child Alive.” Retrieved from dailydevotional@ucc.org
6. Jennifer Benson Schuldt, “Wisdom’s Source.” Retrieved from donotreply@email.rbc.org
7. “Jane Austen Devotional.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com