Hearing Wisdom

When there are so many challenges in life, it can be difficult to determine the right answer. There are times you may wish you had the wisdom of Solomon. Yet at the heart of wisdom is one simple fact — you must be humble enough to hear what God’s word is telling you.

In 1 Kings 3:5 God tells Solomon in a dream, “Ask what you wish Me to give you (NASB).” Solomon answers, “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 (3:9)?” A footnote in the NASB says that “an understanding heart” means literally “a hearing heart.” To be open to hearing what others have to say, to what God is telling you, requires a humble heart.

In Solomon’s case, he stated how overwhelmed he is by the task he has been given as King. In verse 6, he recognizes God “has shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father” and that, “You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Then he humbly expresses, “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 (7).”

How would you respond if God said to you, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.” Would you ask for long life, riches or for God to smite your enemies? Solomon was commended for not asking for these things and instead asking for “discernment to understand justice (11).”

Read, after this passage, how Solomon handled the case of the two harlots presented to him and determine how he used discernment.

© 2022, Chris G. Thelen

Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. 1 Kings 4:29 (NASB)