Year 1, Week 43, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 43, Day 2

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Kings 3-4.

Today’s reading introduces us to Solomon and notes some matters that unfolded early in his reign as Israel’s king. 1 Kings 3 reports on Solomon’s marriage alliance with Pharaoh, which is possibly a subtle hint of some bad things to come. There is tension in these initial reports on Solomon: “Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places” (1 Kings 3:3). There is a qualifying measure to Solomon’s obedience. Today’s reading delicately puts forward the notion that Solomon is inconsistent. However, the overall thrust of 1 Kings 3 emphasizes positive qualities about Solomon. The greatest focus in 1 Kings 3 is Solomon’s opportunity to receive whatever he asks of the LORD: “At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you” (1 Kings 3:5). 1 Kings 4 notes some of the key officials and governors during Solomon’s reign. 1 Kings 4 also includes data concerning the size and blessedness upon Israel during Solomon’s reign: “And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon” (1 Kings 4:25).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the LORD’s gift of wisdom to Solomon so that he might rule justly: “Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!” (Psalm 72:1-2). As the LORD appeared to Solomon at Gideon and offered to grant Solomon what he wished, Solomon astutely asked for wisdom: “you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:7-9). Solomon shows gratitude and great humility before the LORD as he realizes the large but important task he has been assigned as king. Solomon knows that he needs wisdom. Wisdom provides the LORD’s perspective on life, that is, “an understanding mind”. Applying the LORD’s perspective on life provides the moral skill to live righteously, that is to, “discern between good and evil”. Solomon is aware of the fact that he needs the LORD’s perspective to live righteously and to rule Israel with righteousness.

The LORD’s response to Solomon’s request for wisdom is unambiguous: “It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this” (1 Kings 3:10). The LORD emphatically grants Solomon his request: “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you” (1 Kings 3:11-12). But the LORD goes beyond what Solomon asked for and also grants him what he did not request: “I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days” (1 Kings 3:13). But the LORD also provides a qualification: “And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” (1 Kings 3:14). While wisdom is a gift from the LORD, the full apprehension of wisdom is tied to obeying the LORD.

In the immediate aftermath of the LORD’s gift of wisdom to Solomon, an illustration is offered showing the vital importance of wisdom to, govern this your great people?” Two women each gave birth to a son. One son died and the woman whose son died switched out her dead son with the other woman's living son. But the woman who swapped out her son denied doing such a thing. What ensued was a conflict of accusations between the women that was impossible to prove definitively who was telling the truth: “But the other woman said, “No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours.” The first said, “No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine” (1 Kings 3:22). The matter was brought to Solomon and he rendered a solution to the stalemate: “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other” (1 Kings 3:25). Before Solomon’s plan was carried out, the two women each spoke up: “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him” (1 Kings 3:26b). Upon hearing these women, Solomon was able to discern between good and evil: “Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother” (1 Kings 3:27). All of Israel grasped the wisdom that the LORD granted Solomon: “And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice” (1 Kings 3:28). And before long, Solomon’s wisdom was known around the world: “And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom” (1 Kings 4:34). It all started with knowing what to ask for: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe