Wisdom Wednesday: Wisdom of Solomon – Part 1
Solomon’s Gift from God
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
“…. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart….”
(1 Kings 3:12b) NASB 95
Solomon is one of David’s 19 sons listed in 1 Chronicles 3:1–9, the youngest son born to Bathsheba. He knew of the greatness of his father, his acts as a warrior, as well as his military and political leadership. He was certainly aware of the rebellion caused by his older brother, Absolom, who led a coup against his father, but was ultimately defeated and died in battle (I Sam. 18:9-18). When Solomon was approximately 20 years old, his father David died, and Solomon became king (1 Kings 2:12; 1 Chron. 29:23-25).
The books of 1 Kings (chapters 1-3) and 2 Chronicles (chapter 1) provide limited details of the activities of Solomon at the beginning of his reign, but the chronology of key events leading up to his accession to his father’s throne are provided. The key events are:
- David’s failing health (1 Kings 1:1-4)
- His ambitious brother, Adonijah’s effort to beat Solomon to the throne (1 Kings 1:5-10) and the plan of Nathan the prophet and Solomon’s mother to counter Adonijah’s plans (1 Kings 1: 11-37) and have Solomon anointed by Zadok, the High priest (1 Kings 1:38-40)
- David’s death and his instructions to Solomon (1 Kings 2:1-9) to “walk in God’s ways”, and to deal with David’s adversaries from within (Joab the general and Shimei) to eliminate division.
- Solomon’s first acts to execute the challengers to His reign as his father instructed. (1 Kings 2)
- Solomon’s treaty with Egypt and marriage to the Pharaoh’s daughter (1 Kings 3: 1-3)
With all of this background of family intrigue, competition, and political maneuvering Solomon sought to walk with the Lord: “Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.” (1 Kings 3:3) The exception was that he still worshiped at “high places” (the Canaanite practice of worshipping on designated high hills). He went to the prominent high place at Gibeon to worship where Moses’s tabernacle and the brazen altar were located and the LORD appeared to him in a dream at night. God asked, “Ask what you wish me to give you.” (I Kings 3:5)
Solomon responded in deep humility:
Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. 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?” 1 Ki 3:6–9.
And God responded:
“Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, 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. If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.” (1 Kings 3: 11b-14)
This was the gift of God to Solomon – a wise and discerning heart. It was the gift of wisdom. In addition, God promised to prolong his life as he walked in His ways. And we see this fulfilled in his life as recorded by the scribes:
- He demonstrated “wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29).
- He spoke on many subjects, wrote proverbs and songs (1 Kings 4:32)
- He was recognized as “greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom” and he was sought after to hear him speak his wisdom. (1 Kings 10:23–24)
It is significant to note that while God gave wisdom to Solomon in a special way to exercise leadership over the nation, God also gives His wisdom to us today for our lives. Solomon was told to walk in God’s way, and he would be cared for by God for his physical needs as King.
Mentioning Solomon and his splendor, Jesus reminded us, too, to walk in God’s ways and trust God for our physical needs: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33).