Seeking wisdom and discernment ∙∙∙
Give your servant a discerning heart. – 1 Kings 3:9
1 Kings 3:28 When all Israel heard the king’s decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice.
Two Claims, One Truth
Two individuals once appeared in court, each claiming ownership of the same dog. Both presented passionate and convincing arguments. The woman had filed the lawsuit, claiming to be the dog’s owner, while the man detailed his purchase of the dog, even sharing specifics about where he had bought it. The case left the judge perplexed as each argument seemed equally compelling.
Seeking clarity, the judge devised a simple yet profound solution. The dog, present in the courtroom, was released from its leash. Without hesitation, the loyal companion ran straight to the woman, tail wagging with joy and tongue hanging out. That simple act revealed the truth. The judge ruled in the woman’s favor, admonishing the man for his dishonest claim. The outcome not only reunited the dog with his rightful owner but also demonstrated the power of discernment in revealing the truth.
Solomon’s Gift of Wisdom
Stories like this echo the renowned wisdom of Solomon, the king of Israel, celebrated as the wisest man to have ever lived. He wrote the Song of Solomon, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. His reputation stemmed not only from intellectual understanding but also from a divine gift of wisdom. Solomon’s wisdom is clearly demonstrated in historical accounts, especially in 1 Kings 3, where he encountered one of his most challenging conundrums.
Two women came before the king, each claiming to be the mother of the same child. Their argument was heart-wrenching and complex. Both women lived in the same house, and both had recently given birth, but one child tragically passed away. Each accused the other of swapping their deceased child for the living one. It was impossible to determine the truth based only on their words.
A Divine Solution
Solomon listened patiently to their claims and formulated a solution that would reveal the real mother. He devised a brilliant strategy. Solomon called for a sword and instructed that the living child be cut in half, giving each woman half. It was a shocking and disturbing request.
The response from the two women was revealing. The true mother, overwhelmed with love for her child, pleaded with the king to spare the boy’s life, even if it meant giving him to the other woman. The second woman, however, showed spite, agreeing to the division of the child. Through this test, Solomon discerned the truth. The real mother was revealed through her selfless love, and the child was given to her.
The story is found in 1 Kings 3:23-27: “Then the king said, ‘Let’s get the facts straight. Both of you claim the living child is yours, and each says that the dead one belongs to the other. All right, bring me a sword.’ So a sword was brought to the king. Then he said, ‘Cut the living child in two, and give half to one woman and half to the other! Then the woman who was the real mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried out, ‘Oh no, my lord! Give her the child, please, do not kill him!’ But the other woman said, ‘All right, he will be neither yours nor mine; divide him between us!’ Then the king said, ‘Do not kill the child, but give him to the woman who wants him to live, for she is his mother!’”
The Father provided Solomon with the wisdom and discernment he needed to differentiate right from wrong, moral from immoral, and fair from unfair.
The Source of True Wisdom
James 1:5 reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Solomon’s wisdom was a gift from God, and He offers the same gift to all His children today. This wisdom allows us to make decisions that honor Him, discern truth from falsehood, and bring peace to seemingly impossible situations.
REFLECT & PRAY
Take a moment to reflect on how the Father’s wisdom can guide your life. Are you facing situations where the truth is unclear or choices seem overwhelming? Trust in Him, and ask for His guidance.
Father, thank You for being the source of all wisdom. Help us to seek You in every decision, cultivating hearts that are obedient and ready to listen. May Your discernment guide us in everything we do.
INSIGHT
The Weight of Great Responsibility
Before we can fully understand why Solomon asked the Father for wisdom and discernment, it’s essential to recognize the historical context. Solomon had just ascended to the throne after the death of his father, King David, the heroic and almost legendary ruler of Israel. David’s reign was marked by a deep relationship with God and extraordinary achievements, setting a nearly impossible standard for his son to follow.
Solomon, inheriting this immense legacy, found himself overwhelmed. How could he, a young and inexperienced king, possibly live up to his father’s reputation and walk closely with God as David had? He felt inadequate, a poor substitute for David. Yet, there was no escaping the duty. The weight of leading God’s people, the Nation of Israel, rested firmly on his shoulders.
Any child of God can likely identify with Solomon’s feelings of inadequacy. We all encounter moments when the tasks ahead seem too daunting to handle.
Solomon’s Key to Strength
Despite his fears, Solomon knew the open secret to David’s success. David’s life demonstrated a powerful truth: What is impossible with man is possible with God. Solomon didn’t need to rely solely on his own strength because he served a Father who was capable of the impossible.
The Lord didn’t wait for Solomon to cry out for help. Instead, He initiated the conversation in a remarkable way.
An Offer Beyond Imagination
We read in 1 Kings 3:5, “The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, ‘What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!’”
Take a moment to reflect on the magnitude of this moment. Imagine the Creator of the universe appearing to you with a blank check, promising to give you whatever you desire. What would you ask for? Wealth? Power? Long life?
The Father is ready to provide abundantly out of His great love and compassion for every child of the King. Our response to his kind offer reveals our heart and priorities.
Solomon’s response revealed a beautiful aspect of his character: humility and faith.
The Humble Petition
Solomon’s reply is recorded in 1 Kings 3. He begins by acknowledging God’s faithful love toward his father, David. He then admits his own weakness and need. It is found in 1 Kings 3:6-9: “Now, O LORD my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. … Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”
Solomon didn’t ask for personal gain or glory. He asked for wisdom, not for his own benefit, but so he could lead God’s people with justice and discernment. Solomon was aware of his limitations and humbly acknowledged his dependence on the Father.
The wisest man who ever lived humbled himself and became as a little child in need of his daddy. His daddy showed up and had his back. What could be better than that?
A Hearing Heart
The phrase Solomon used was “a discerning heart.” What is a discerning heart? The Hebrew word used here is shama. Shama comes from the Hebrew verb shamah. Which is typically translated as “hear.” In this context, it can also be translated as “understanding heart” or “discerning heart.” Solomon wasn’t just seeking intellectual insight; he was asking for a heart attuned to hear and obey God’s voice.
Obedience and discernment go hand in hand. Paul R. House notes, “Only those who obey authority figures have really heard them.” For Solomon to lead effectively, he needed to listen to God first. The Father’s wisdom would empower him to discern truth, guide His people, and govern righteously.
This principle remains valid today for every child of the King. To have a discerning heart, we must first be willing to listen and respond to God’s direction. The Father will surely give to all who ask him in faith with proper motives.
The apostle James explains, James 4:2-3 “You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure.”
The Father’s Generous Response
The Bible assures us of this truth in James 1:5, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.” The Father was pleased with Solomon’s humble and selfless request. Not only did God grant him wisdom beyond measure, but He also blessed Solomon with riches, honor, and a promise of long life if he remained faithful (1 Kings 3:10-14).
God delights in giving His children good gifts, especially when they ask with pure motives rooted in faith. He will not rebuke you for asking. The same God who granted Solomon wisdom offers that gift to anyone who seeks it with a sincere heart.
The Father answered Solomon’s prayer and provided godly wisdom, which only comes from above (James 3:15,17).
Have you ever humbled yourself and asked the Father for a heart that hears and understands, so it can truly benefit others in need?
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 