The Wisdom of Solomon

1 Kings 3:7-9, 28
7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" …………28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice. NKJV

One question about Solomon has always puzzled me, “How can a man be so wise, but yet be so stupid?” The Scripture is clear that God gladly answered the request of Solomon for wisdom and understanding to judge his people and immediately that wisdom was put to the test with the two women claiming the same child. The record is also clear that Solomon was a great builder and organizer of the kingdom of Israel which brought marvel and praise from the rulers of the world. He was proficient in almost all studies whether it concerned economics, politics, biology, horticulture, or architectural engineering and design. His accomplishments were simply a wonder to all. But his personal life proved to be a mess. His decisions on wives were disastrous as they ultimately turned his heart from the very God who had so richly blessed him. He would admit later in his life the vanity of all his accomplishments. Again, how could a man so wise make such unwise decisions? First, the wisdom granted to Solomon was the wisdom of judgment for the people. This was a direct answer to his prayer. Solomon had great wisdom to judge other people but he was lacking in judgment for himself. Next, from the life of this “wise” man we should learn that we all have blind spots and areas of deficiency. Being wise or proficient in one area of our lives, no matter how astute it may be, does not necessarily equate to wisdom in other areas of our lives. We must not allow ourselves to think that we have become so wise that we have not need of God. Regardless of who were are, even if we become as great as Solomon, we must daily stay on our face humbly before God seeking His wisdom in every area of our lives.