1 Kings 3:9-10
9 So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
God’s Answer
10 It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing.
Solomon’s Plea for Discernment
In today’s text Solomon made a petition to God for understanding and discernment between good and evil in order that God would grant him wisdom to lead and judge righteously over His people (1 Kgs 3:9). God did grant Solomon wisdom however; this wisdom was only given to Solomon after he offered one thousand burnt offerings.
God’s Promise and Solomon’s Humbleness
Solomon was desperate and gave these offerings because no one during his time recognized him as king. Even his brothers were all very handsome and everybody wanted them to be king (1 Kgs 1:24-25). Solomon’s brother Adonijah was such a great man that even Solomon’s father, King David never had to rebuke him for doing anything wrong (1 Kgs 1:6). However, Solomon became king only because of God’s covenant to David (2 Sam 7:12-15). After becoming king; Solomon prayed humbly as a little child stating that he did not know how to go out or come in meaning he was not experienced and inadequate to be king (1 Kgs 3:7). Therefore with a humble heart he sought God (1 Pet 5:5-6). Secondly, Solomon sought God’s kingdom and His righteousness first before anything else. Likewise Jesus has commanded us to do the same (Matt 6:33). Solomon confessed that everything belongs to God and that Israel was not his kingdom but God’s Kingdom. Thus Solomon was seeking for the betterment of God’s kingdom.
Characteristics of Solomon’s Wisdom
First, the wisdom that God gave to Solomon can be compared to the original wisdom that Adam had whom God created to be an agent on behalf of God. Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs which are filled with wisdom of life to include 1,005 songs (1 Kgs 4:32). Solomon could also speak of trees, all the animals, and nature with great wisdom (1 Kgs 4:33). Likewise Adam named all the creatures in the world because he understood the nature and the way they behaved and their characteristics (Gen 2:19). Therefore we can see from Solomon’s wisdom God was giving him this incredible wisdom that happened in the original state of creation. Originally the people wanted Solomon’s brother Adonijah as king; but when Solomon began to rule cases and show judgment, people began to fear him; specifically because they saw God’s wisdom in Solomon (1 Kgs 3:28). This is exactly what God wants to reinstate in us. To do this, Father sent us Jesus Christ to die on the cross and give this wisdom to us. Therefore, our Lord Jesus is our power, and our wisdom (1 Cor 1:24, 30). Secondly, Solomon’s wisdom was a wisdom that all the nations had to come and see; and all nations came (1 Kgs 4:30, 34). The greatest example of those coming to witness Solomon’s wisdom was the Queen of Sheba. She asked Solomon many questions and there was nothing he was unable to explain (1 Kgs 10:3). She proclaimed that not even half of the rumors she heard did not measure up to the awesome wisdom Solomon possessed (1 Kgs 10:6-7). In the last days; the mountain of God’s house will be established and all nations will stream to it (Isa 2:2-3). The Bible declares that we are the letter of Christ and when we share the Word of Redemptive History with others, people will want to come and hear this rumor and come to us (2 Cor 3:2-3). The Queen of Sheba came with many gifts for Solomon; thus this kind of wisdom comes with material wealth.
What Do We Want to Pursue
All the things that we desire in this world cannot compare to wisdom which is Jesus Christ Himself (Prov 3:15; 1 Cor 1:30). However, for those who do seek wisdom, all of the honor and riches comes automatically. Thus, as Solomon sought wisdom everything else was added to him as a plus. Just as Solomon offered one thousand offerings; may we come to every worship and prayer and may that be counted as one thousand burnt offerings.
Conclusion
God says all we have to do is ask and He will give generously and without reproach (James 1:5). This is the wisdom that Solomon received which surpassed all the kings of the earth (2 Chron 9:22). God wants that wisdom to be manifest through you and I. Thus, may the 2017 general assembly march on and pray for one another so that we can become the perfect team to send forth the Word to the entire World.
Amen.
Credits:
Created with images by Photoshop Roadmap - "Colorful Pattern" • jeonsango - "nature green abstract" • Clearly Ambiguous - "Pattern" • Photoshop Roadmap - "Colorful Pattern" • Photoshop Roadmap - "Colorful Pattern" • PublicDomainPictures - "abstract architecture background"