Please don’t kill my son,” the baby’s mother screamed. “Your Majesty, I love him very much, but give him to her. Just don’t kill him. “The other woman shouted, “Go ahead and cut him in half. Then neither of us will have the baby.” Solomon said, “Don’t kill the baby.” Then he pointed to the first woman, “She is his real mother. Give the baby to her.”
1 Kings 3:16-26-27(CEV)
We are all familiar with the story of King Solomon, the son of David, the great king of Israel. When David died, Solomon became the new king. He loved God and wanted to follow his father’s example.
One night, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon could have asked for anything: wealth, fame, power, or long life. But he did not ask for any of these things. Instead, he said to God, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 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 3:6-9).
God was pleased with Solomon’s request. He 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 woke up and realized it was a dream. He returned to Jerusalem and worshiped God. He also gave a feast for all his court. Soon, Solomon’s wisdom became known throughout the land. He spoke thousands of proverbs and songs. He knew about all kinds of plants and animals. He understood astronomy and mathematics. He was an expert in architecture and engineering. He built a magnificent temple for God and a splendid palace for himself. People from all nations came to listen to his wisdom, including the queen of Sheba, who was amazed by his knowledge and wealth –(1 Kings 4:29-34) (1 Kings 10:1-13).
One day, two women came to Solomon with a problem. They lived in the same house, and each had a baby boy. Sadly, one of the two women found her baby dead. The mother of the dead baby switched her own son with the other woman’s son while she was asleep. When the other woman woke up, she found the baby next to her was dead. Upon looking closely, she realized that it definitely was not her infant. She accused the other woman of stealing her son, but the other woman denied it, vehemently. They argued and brought their case to the King Solomon.
Solomon listened patiently to both women and then said, “Bring me a sword.” A sword was brought to him. He then said, “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other” (1 Kings 3:24-250).
The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!” (1 Kings 3:26).
Then the king said, “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother-” (1 Kings 3:27).
All of Israel heard of the verdict that this new young king had given, and they feared him for they witnessed the wisdom of God was upon him, and in him, to administer justice –(1 Kings 3:28).
Solomon continued to rule over Israel with wisdom and justice. He also made peace with his neighbors and expanded his territory. He was blessed by God with riches and honor. He wrote many books of wisdom, such as Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. He praised God for his goodness and grace. He said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths-” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
King Solomon was the wisest king walking on earth, (other than the King of kings Jesus when He was here on earth for His mission and to save us) – the LORD gave him that gift due to his request. He rewarded him due to his unselfish answer, he wanted to be helpful and able to tend to his people.
What would you ask for if God said, “my child, what is it you would like to have?” Do you know what your answer would be? Thank about that, and before you do…know that God knows your heart and your answer already, so you can’t fool Him.
“Father, my LORD above, thank You for Your guidance, for knowing my heart, for knowing me better than anyone else on this planet, may I be Your faithful servant all the days of my life, may I walk in the Spirit of Christ, and may I do all I can to present Your name in honor and glory and be a witness to Your love in things I do, today and always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”