Good morning, everyone!
Today I read 1 Kings 3-5.
In today's reading, Solomon's kingdom is established, and he makes an alliance with the Pharaoh of Egypt by marrying his daughter. There is peace on every side. He loves God, and serves him in everything he does.
Because of this, God comes to Solomon and asks what Solomon wants God to give to him.
Solomon asks for just one thing: wisdom, so that he can judge Israel.
God is very pleased with this answer, and in addition to the godly wisdom, He also gives Solomon great riches and honor.
1 Kings 3:12-13 - behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.
That's amazing!
When we seek God truly, with our whole hearts, walk in His righteousness, and keep His commandments, He will give us what we ask, as long as it is in accordance with His will and Word. And sometimes He will give us more than we could imagine.
So, Solomon has been given great wisdom from God.
Now, two women come to him, each fighting over a child. Both claim that the other accidentally lay on her baby in her sleep, and switched the dead child for the living. Both claim that the living child is there.
One is lying. The other is not. How will Solomon discern the truth?
This is one of my favorite stories of Solomon's wisdom.
Seated on his throne, judging this case, his voice echoes across the chamber. "Bring me a sword."
The women look at each other and look around. The baby fusses. The soldiers look at one another, frowning, but dutifully, one brings his sword forward.
Solomon's voice rings out once more. "Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other" (1 Kings 3:25).
One of the women grins. "Sure. That works for me."
The other woman begins to wail. "No, please! Give her the child, only don't kill him."
Solomon smiles gently. "Give the child to the woman who would spare him. Do not kill the child. She is his mother."
Okay, so I embellished a little, but I kept the main points in tact.
Solomon's wisdom was known from that day onward, and the people feared him, for they knew God was with him.
There is so much more I could talk about from these chapters, but I'll save some for tomorrow when I read 1 Kings 6-7, when Solomon actually begins construction of God's temple. Basically, Solomon began gathering materials in these chapters. I may include some of it tomorrow, because it's impressive.
Until then! I hope you have a blessed day!
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