May 23, 2016
1 Kings 3-Part 3
LET IT GLOW
A day holds so many decisions to be made, large and small ones. Are you seeking the Lord's wisdom concerning a specific matter right now in your life? I am. Since I have no direction or answer from Him, I am waiting and looking to see how He is working in my situation. Then I will know the right decision to make.
When the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, asking what he wanted and it would be granted, Solomon asked for an understanding heart and to know the difference between right and wrong.
Because his greatest desire was to help his people, and Solomon did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even the death of his enemies or a long life, but rather he asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern his people, God gave his request. (1 Chronicles 1:11-12 NLT)
As we read through the Bible, we will realize that God did grant Solomon's request and gave him wealth, riches, and fame like no other king had before or after him.
In 4:32, we read that Solomon composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. His fame spread to surrounding nations and kings sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon. His wisdom, understanding, and knowledge was as vast as the sands of the seashore. He spoke about all kind of plants, animals, birds, small creatures, and fish.
What would be my answer if God asked me, "Linda, what do you want? Ask, and it will be given you!" How about you, what would your answer be? I often pray for all my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to be saved and desire to serve the Lord Jesus with their life. I may or may not live to see those prayers answered, but I trust God will grant it.
LET IT GROW
Picking up in verse 16 of chapter 3, we read of a case that Solomon resolved using his God given wisdom. The case involved two prostitutes who were arguing about to whom a baby belonged.
What are the details concerning this?
- Two prostitutes lived in the same house.
- They gave birth to a baby only 3 days apart.
- These women were alone when the other one's baby died because she rolled over on it during the night. So, during the night, she exchanged her dead baby for the woman's live son while the mother slept.
- The deceived mother recognized the baby beside her was not her baby, and confronted the woman.
- The women were arguing back and forth in front of King Solomon, needing him to straighten out the mess.
- Both claimed the living child to be theirs and the dead one to belong to the other woman, the king understanding the case.
He called for his sword, demanding that the living child be cut into two, giving half to each woman. The real mother, who loved her baby very much, spoke up giving her child to the other one so it would not be killed. Solomon halted the killing of the baby.
He knew the liar would not object, but out of the maternal-compassion, the real mother would. (MacArthur)
Solomon found out who was the real mother, the one who desired to lose her suit and suffer the loss of her child rather than see it be killed. To this mother Solomon awarded custody of the child.
Verse 28 says, When all Israel heard the king's decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice. (NLT)
KJV says it this way, And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for thy saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do the judgment.
The word feared, in the Hebrew, means to revere, in reverence.
Israel was in awe of and willing to submit to the rule of Solomon because of his wisdom from God.
(MacArthur)
God had given Solomon the wisdom to resolve the case. Otherwise, who would think of doing such a thing? The people recognized this.
Do we seek wisdom from God? Do people recognize that our decisions are directed by God? Do our decisions result in others fearing the king, for they saw the wisdom of God was in him? Also, do we realize when God has given wisdom to a person concerning a judgment or decision?
LET IT GO
Seek God's wisdom concerning my decisions.
Then carry them out.
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