Solomon asks for wisdom

Solomon had become king of Israel. He loved the LORD and followed the ways of David his father, though sacrifices were still being offered at high places because the temple had not yet been built.

Solomon went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices. During the night, the LORD appeared to him in a dream and told Solomon to ask what he wanted God to give him.

Solomon remembered God’s kindness to David. He also understood how great his responsibility was. He was king over a very large people, and he said he did not know how to go out or come in. Instead of asking for riches or a long life, Solomon asked for an understanding heart so he could judge the people and know the difference between good and bad.

The LORD was pleased with Solomon’s request. Because Solomon had asked for wisdom rather than long life, riches or the death of his enemies, God said he would give him a wise and understanding heart. God also promised riches and honour.

After Solomon returned to Jerusalem, two women came before him with a hard case. One baby had died during the night, and each woman said the living baby was hers. Solomon gave an order that revealed which woman truly wanted the child to live. He then gave the baby to her. Israel heard about the decision and saw that God had given Solomon wisdom to judge.

First Kings 3 begins with Solomon as king. He had married the daughter of Pharaoh king of Egypt. At that time the temple had not yet been built, so the people were still sacrificing at high places. Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of David his father, though he also sacrificed and burned incense at high places.

Solomon went to Gibeon, the great high place, and offered a thousand burnt offerings there. During the night the LORD appeared to him in a dream and told him to ask what God should give him.

Solomon answered by remembering the great kindness God had shown David. He knew he had inherited a huge responsibility. He described himself as a little child who did not know how to go out or come in, and he was ruling a people too numerous for him to count easily. Solomon did not ask first for wealth, victory or a long life. He asked for an understanding heart so he could judge the people and discern between good and bad.

The request pleased the LORD. Because Solomon had asked for understanding to judge rather than long life, riches or the death of his enemies, God said he would give him a wise and understanding heart unlike any king before or after him. God also promised riches and honour. If Solomon walked in God’s ways, God said he would lengthen his days.

Solomon woke and realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant, offered sacrifices and held a feast for his servants.

The chapter then shows Solomon’s wisdom in action. Two women came before the king, each claiming the same living baby. One baby had died during the night, and each woman said the living child was hers. Solomon ordered that a sword be brought and said the living child should be divided. One woman begged him to give the baby alive to the other woman instead. The other agreed to the division. Solomon then ordered that the living baby be given to the woman who had pleaded for the child’s life. All Israel heard of the judgment and recognized that the wisdom of God was in Solomon to do justice.