April 12, 2024

Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter, built his house, and walled in Jerusalem. He went to Gibeon, where the altar was, and sacrificed a thousand burnt offerings to the Lord. When he fell asleep, God visited him in a dream and told Solomon to make his request, and He would give him whatever he asked. Solomon, concerned about judging the great nation of Israel, asked for an understanding heart to discern between good and evil. God was very pleased with his answer and committed to giving him the things he hadn’t asked for, like long life, riches, and honor. When he awakened and realized it was a dream, he made a peace offering before the ark and a feast for his servants. 

Then came a test of his wisdom. Two women, who were both pregnant at the same time, delivered their babies three days apart. However, one of the women laid on her child, killing it. While the other woman was sleeping, she switched the babies, giving the other woman the dead one. They went before Solomon with their case because the one mother knew the dead baby wasn’t hers. Solomon offered a solution, had someone bring a sword to him, and offered to divide the living child in half. The birth mother told him to give the baby to the other woman, not wanting to see harm come to her child, but the woman of the dead baby told him to go ahead and divide it so neither of them could have it. That’s when Solomon knew which mother the baby belonged to. The birth mother would never want the child to be harmed. 

We all need wisdom and discernment, and it seems God will give us that gift if we ask. We live in a world that is full of ignorance and stupidity, and more people need to ask God for these things. Keep praying for God to open the eyes of those who lack intelligence, and maybe the world will become a better place to live until Jesus returns. 

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 1 Kings 3:9