1st Kings 3:16-28 PRACTICAL WISDOM Deceitful hearts are something everyone knows about because everyone has one. However, most people are not very open about that problem because we want others to think well of us. The two prostitutes in the incident that first publicly demonstrated Solomon's wisdom opens our eyes as to how far a deceitful heart can go'
One of them obviously wanted to live without the responsibility of caring for a child. Who knows what would have happened to the second child if Solomon had given it to her? Likely it would have soon died just like her own did. The appeal to the king was a normal action on the part of a mother who was in danger of being investigated as to why her child died. Rumor and innuendo would follow the life a woman who lived as these two did. Deception and false accusation go closely together to hide a guilty person's sin. That practice is common to all of humanity because "the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked..."
When the sword was called for by Solomon, all of a sudden, things were no longer just a dispute. He had quickly made this a life or death matter. The whole matter was changed from a common problem to something as serious a life itself. A true mother wants her child to survive even if she has to die to make that happen. The cost of keeping her child alive supersedes anything and everything to that mother.
For that young man who was newly made king, to make that decision in the way Solomon did was radically different from the normal way of making and passing judgments. He bypassed the charges and countercharges and went immediately to the root of the matter. Which woman was the true mother of the child? The external evidence was not easy to see nor with which to make a sound judgment. It was not a common "he said, she said" judgment. By immediately going to the source of the problem - the human heart and emotions, he eliminated all the subterfuge and counter charges.
There are areas of judicial practice in which it is hard to determine right and wrong because human beings are quick to deceive even judges and law enforcement officers. To hear testimony from conflicting points of view is very common. To find the truth of a matter, a judge has to watch facial expressions, hear the tone of voice of each person, carefully observe body language and determine if deception and lies or truth are being told. More communication is nonverbal than verbal.
With this wise act and the decision made following it, Solomon not only settled the immediate problem, but set a precedent that made all the nation aware of the wisdom of their new king. That would keep people from making spurious charges and thinking they would get away with them. The wisdom of Solomon was one thing and was important to the rule of the nation of Israel, but more importantly, all Israel saw the "wisdom of God" was in him. His wisdom was a reflection of divine wisdom.
Ezra also showed the wisdom of God [Ezra 7:25] when he established an orderly society according to the laws of God. When Israel returned after the years in Babylon, it was necessary for the people to understand he had the authority to set up a judicial system again under divine direction. This was not only to govern in an orderly way but to be able to carry out punishment for disobedience.
The Lord Jesus made reference to the "wisdom of God" in Luke 11 verse 49. The word of God itself is called the wisdom of God as the source of true wisdom in every matter. The Lord Himself is the wisdom of God who has the right to expand on the scriptures and make them plain because He is the "Living Word."
Paul referred to the "wisdom of God" in contrast to human wisdom in 1st Corinthians 1:21,24 and in 2:7. He also referenced the wisdom of God being demonstrated to angels and demons through the church [Eph.3:10].
The lives and words of God's people are important to nations, to the Lord, to the Lord's people and the unsaved, and to angels, even when we gather publicly to worship and remember our Lord. "For this cause ought a woman to have power on her head because of the angels." When a child of God is available, humble and conscious of God with him or her, God can use that person to pass on His wisdom to those in our sphere of influence.
1Kings 3:6. “And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.”
TRUTH… RIGHTEOUSNESS… UPRIGHT HEART. Truth is what I know to be an actual fact It really isn’t truth if the words are different from how I act The truth of God is always right, there is no deviation To walk with Jesus is to walk with Truth, He is God’s salvation.
The way I testify to what I believe is shown in how I live To live and walk righteously reveals what I really have
The only way this can be consistent is if God’s righteousness is given That is the way those who live around me know I’m going to heaven.
To know the truth and live it out, starts with an upright heart This change of heart from being deceitful begins when the Spirit starts To convict of sin, righteousness and judgment, then the soul is stirred To seek relief by repentance of sin, then faith brings the new birth.
These three together form a unity that brings life to a dead spirit Truth, righteousness and an upright heart affect all those who use it God’s mercy and His kindness to us are evident when we care Enough for others’ welfare that His grace to us, we share.
It is something to consider, those most impacted are close to us Often it is through parents, children learn to curse or bless May my children; and theirs too be people of understanding May they be wise to rightly judge with grace and truth their will commanding.
Like Solomon of old, my work is to build for God His ways were the statutes and the laws; mine obedience to God’s Word His worship was with great ceremony; mine worship from the heart His wish was for understanding; mine not to from the Lord depart.
God gave him special wisdom; I’m just a common man Solomon built great edifices; I just do what I can But by the wisdom God gives me and my desire to please Him I’ll trust God to allow me to finish what He wanted me to begin.
“Father, I don’t have any great and beautiful buildings to point to and say I built them. And I am only a simple man who has been called by Thee to speak Thy Word. So, I pray that some of the words I have spoken over the years, will help to bring Thy great building project to completion. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
1Kings 3:7. “And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made Thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.” EVALUATION. Acting intellectually – but not intelligently. Choosing spontaneously - he makes a strange affinity. Deciding independently – choosing expediently – Even those who love the Lord make mistakes.
Lying down silently after thinking prayerfully. Dealings with God solitarily – listening expectantly. Hearing now considerately – recognizing opportunity. Those who love the Lord are ready to hear.
Thinking now spiritually – no longer independently. Evaluating self honestly – knowing his inability. Acknowledge God’s sufficiency, His Lordship and His deity Those who love the Lord listen to Him.
Asking in humility – addressing God reverently. Assessing realistically his personal insufficiency. Speaking to God respectfully – honoring Him with dignity. Those who love Lord do not hide needs from Him.
He knows himself emotionally – can make his requests rationally. Simplicity turns to maturity – now he makes decisions wisely. Judgments are solved satisfactorily – he responds to God thankfully. Those who love the Lord know their need of Him.
“Father God, I am so in need of wisdom. Questions come, needs arise, opportunities seem to be here – yet I am so often unsure. Please Father, grant me more wisdom as I get older and help to see all these things through Thy eyes. I so want to be sure this is Thy will. Help me to properly evaluate all the choices I have to make. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”