My Daily Meditation
Today’s Reading
The First Book of Kings
Chapter 3:1-28
Friends and Brethren in Christ, greetings on the name of our Savior Christ Jesus.
We, both believer and non-believer, are well aquainted with the following passages about the two women and how Solomon, decided who was the true mother. There is much to gleamed and learned from this chapter.
1) King Solomon, in the early versus, asks of God for only one thing, that being wisdom. He wanted to be wise, so that he might rule his people justly, and in righteousness. With this wisdom, because he so asked only for it, God likewise blessed him with a long life and wealth. However, it should be noted that the reason for this request, was not for self, but for genuine concern about the welfare of his nation and it’s people. More than likely, it probably led him to the conclusion in The Book of Proverbs stating that when the just rule the people are glad, but when the wicked rule the people groan. I could digress here and probably write more on that alone, but suffice to say, that by groaning, it means that not only do they not approve of the wickedness of said ruler, but likewise groan under his rule because he is harsh and places much demands upon his people for his own benefit, and pleasure. Sadly, this is a lesson that has gone unheeded today.
2) Solomon, sought the Kingdom of God first and foremost hence his asking for only wisdom. He realized that with that seeking comes knowledge and decisiveness, yet more importantly, compassion, justice, mercy, that outweigh the former mentioned noble qualities that should be present in a leader. Does that mean he was perfect, absolutely not! But, it does show that he did strive to achieve as much of a noble character as possible based on the culture of his time. In the Merchant of Venice, we read a monologue by one of the main characters, Portia. In it she speaks on mercy, and, states how it is from God, and wherein those who understand it, and use it wisely, clothes a ruler more so than any earthly garment. He who understands mercy, wears it as a mantle that is greater than a crown, and more powerful than the scepter that only shows his earthly authority, as that authority is derived from man, while God’s, authority is from Himself. God’s mercy towards us when emulated by us, is greater than any power, wisdom, ideas, or ideologies that man can invent. For it is freely given, and, as Portia states in her speech, blesses both the one who receives and the one who gives.
3) Moving further into the chapter, we read how the one woman’s concern is based on her own selfishness, and deceit. She’d much prefer that neither of these two women should have a live child, but should be equal in their misery with two dead ones. What a lesson is being demonstrated here, for as we know Solomon shows his God given wisdom by figuring out who might be the actual mother. But more so, we get a glimpse of the difference between one whose character is of higher standard, and one whose character flows around one’s self. Our egos lead us to conclude that self, trumps mercy and compassion. While there is nothing wrong in looking out for the well being of us and our families it must be balanced by a genuine concern for others. As God, has commanded; we are to love and seek Him first, and then, we are to love others as we lover ourselves. I would add only that we are to love others as God loves us.
So my friends, let us each strive today, to seek the wisdom of God, let us try to emulate to the best our ability, love, mercy and compassion on those who cross our paths. Remember, that while there are those who we might down upon, there are still others that look down upon us as well. Let conclude therefore to pray for those who may wrong us, and show forgiveness for their actions.
1 Solomon then made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.
2 Only the people sacrificed in the high places, because there was no house built unto the Name of the Lord, until those days.
3 And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the ordinances of David his father: only he sacrificed and offered incense in the high places.
4 And the King went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the chief high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
6 And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, when he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee: and thou hast kept for him this great mercy, and hast given him a son, to sit on his throne, as appeareth this day. (a)
7 And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a young child, and know not how to go out and in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people, which thou hast chosen, even a great people, which cannot be told nor numbered for multitude.
9 Give therefore unto 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 mighty people?
10 And this pleased the Lord well, that Solomon had desired this thing.
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to hear judgment,
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart, so that there hath been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall arise the like unto thee.
13 And I have also given thee that, which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor, so that among the Kings there shall be none like unto thee all thy days. (b)
14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep mine ordinances and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, I will prolong thy days.
15 And when Solomon awoke, behold it was a dream, and he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the Ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings, and made peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
16Then came two harlots unto the king, and stood before him.
17 And the one woman said, Oh my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house, and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.
18 And the third day after that I was delivered, this woman was delivered also, and we were in the house together: no stranger was with us in the house save we twain.
19 And this woman’s son died in the night: for she overlay him.
20 And she rose at midnight, and took my son from my side, while thine handmaid slept, and laid him in her bosom, and laid her dead son in my bosom.
21 And when I arose in the morning to give my son suck, behold, he was dead: and when I had well considered him in the morning, behold, it was not my son, whom I had borne.
22 Then the other woman said, Nay, but my son liveth, and thy son is dead. Again she said, No, but thy son is dead, and mine alive: thus they spake before the king.
23 Then said the king, She saith, This that liveth is my son, and the dead is thy son: and the other saith, Nay, but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son.
24 Then the King said, Bring me a sword: and they brought out a sword before the king.
25 And the king said, Divide ye the living child in twain, and give the one half to the one, and the other half to the other.
26 Then spake the woman, whose the living child was, unto the king, for her compassion was kindled toward her son, and she said, Oh my lord, give her the living child and slay him not: but the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.
27 Then the king answered, and said, Give her the living child, and slay him not: this is his mother.
28 And all Israel heard the judgment which the king had judged, and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.
(a) Editor’s thought - Note that God showed mercy to David, even when he sinned. Such is God’s love for us, that even in sin, He still loves us. He will at times demonstrate his displeasure with our sins, but is still forgiving and merciful, to put them behind Himself, and blot them out as if they had never existed.
(b) Editor’s thought - A cynic might say, that Solomon, asked for such a gift, in the expectation that God would add to that gift other things he really sought. I would say only to said person, that Solomon, upon becoming king, already had, wealth, power, authority given unto him, he had no need for these things. As for a long life, perhaps he already realized that life is as long as God will give to one. So by seeking knowledge, he humbled himself, in such a way, that pleased God more than any desire for fame and fortune.
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