September 27, 2023

Wisdom in Action

1 Kings 3

Ashlyn Miller
Wednesday's Devo

September 27, 2023

Wednesday's Devo

September 27, 2023

Wednesday's Devo

September 27, 2023

Wednesday's Devo

September 27, 2023

Big Idea

Wise leaders walk closely with God.

Key Verse | 1 Kings 3:9

"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

Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom

1 Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the LORD.

3 Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O LORD my God, 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. 8 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. 9 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?”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “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, 12 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. 13 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. 14 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.”

15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

Solomon's Wisdom

16 Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 The one woman said, “Oh, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. 18 Then on the third day after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. And we were alone. There was no one else with us in the house; only we two were in the house. 19 And this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him. 20 And she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. 21 When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead. But when I looked at him closely in the morning, behold, he was not the child that I had borne.” 22 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.” Thus they spoke before the king.

23 Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’” 24 And the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought before the king. 25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” 26 Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, “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.” 27 Then the king answered and said, “Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.” 28 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.

S2:188 1 Kings 3

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Dive Deeper | 1 Kings 3

1 Kings 3:5 never fails to amaze me. God tells Solomon, "Ask what I shall give you." What an awesome reward of faithfulness! God's offer tested Solomon's heart. Would he request something to glorify himself or God? In humility Solomon asks for wisdom, saying "although I am but a little child" (1 Kings 3:7). Solomon's willingness to submit to God shows his maturity and leadership potential despite his youth. When we read this passage, we see that Solomon did not just request wisdom. He asked for an "understanding mind" so he might better serve his God and his people by being a just and wise king (1 Kings 3:9). 

Solomon asked for a receptive heart and mind, one that is open to do the will of God. He understood that a huge part of leadership is the ability to discern good from evil so that he would be able to reign justly. God was pleased with Solomon's response. Solomon had the wisdom to know that who we are is more important than the material things we have. He understood that while God could give him anything he desired, he chose something that would further God's kingdom and benefit His people.

Everyone is a leader, whether you realize that or not. As believers in Christ, our primary responsibility is to love God and love others. We must reject selfishness and submit ourselves to God's purpose for our life and allow Him to use us to further His kingdom for His glory alone.   

This month's memory verse

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

– Matthew 5:16

Discussion Questions

1. By giving Solomon more than he asked, what was God communicating about His character?

2. How have you personally gained wisdom throughout your life? Is wisdom really "experience" as society says, or is it more?

3. What do your requests to God look like right now? What are you asking God for? Are your desires and requests more focused on your circumstances and outward things? If so, how will you focus more on Him?

Respond to Today's Passage

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HS

Hugh Stephenson

Good morning, Ashlyn. Love this from your devo, “Solomon asked for a receptive heart and mind, one that is open to do the will of God. He understood that a huge part of leadership is the ability to discern good from evil so that he would be able to reign justly. “ Having made my share of leadership mistakes, if not more than my share, I can attest that not only is knowing good from evil important but even more a fully surrendered heart that taps into the wisdom from the Holy Spirit’s guidance is more important than anything. I promise. Q1. It seems that God’s nature of generosity and provision is what’s demonstrated. What’s key for me is to think about what Solomon did NOT ask for. And what God did not grant. See below. Q2. Gained wisdom? There is an old saying that applies to me- Good judgement is the result of experience. Experience is the result of bad judgement. Reprising this one also- Hard times create strong men. Strongmen create good times. Good times create weak men. Weak men create bad times. There is only so much that I could learn from good times, school classes, books etc. It’s the mistakes that teach and the consequences of those mistakes that call to memory the bad decisions that started it all. When I am ready to be taught His Word, Spirit, and people do the rest of the teaching. Q3. My requests of God? Long answer- For a long time all I wanted was for Him to “come into my heart”. Sunday after Sunday I prayed this. No change. It took years and years of bad decisions to get me to the point of unconditional surrender. Only then did I see that He heard every prayer but was just waiting for me to get where my heart was open to radical change. A while back a family member connected me with John 14:20, ”In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” At first read this comes across as circular and confusing. What I was taught is that it's describing God greatest desire. Unity. Not long after that I did a deep dive into John 13-17. This is Jesus teaching on ultimate unity; with Him. That is why God created me. To be in relationship with Him for His pleasure and glory. Oswald stresses this over and over. He doesn't want my works. He just wants me.
HS

Hugh Stephenson

I was taught to play poker by my great aunt Adelaide. She was as fine and genteel a southern lady as I have known. And she was a wicked card player. What I learned partially from her but more completely from others in high school was the importance of looking for “The Tell”. Here’s a good article on looking for tells- https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-poker-complete-guide-to-common-poker-tells# I see a version of this in Scripture. There are hints of what’s at work in what’s said and what’s not said. Solomon asks for wisdom, but it seems to me to be worldly wisdom. I accept that there is a counter argument. As I read through the chapter, I see the first tell in verse 1; Egyptian wives. And the second tell in verse 3; sacrifices and offering in high places. Cue the foreboding and ominous music. Even though I know what the rest of 1 and 2 Kings has in store I still wince.
MS

Michael Sisson

Re: 1Kgs 3:1 1Kgs 3:1 (NASB) Then >>>Solomon formed a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter<<< and brought her to the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem. This is a problem. cf. Ex 23:32-33; Ex 34:12-16, and Dt 17:17 Re: 1Kgs 3:2 1Kgs 3:2 (NASB) >>>The people were still sacrificing on the high places<<<, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days. This is a problem. cf. Lev 17:3-8; Dt 12:1-21; 2Chr 7:12 Re: 1Kgs 3:3 1Kgs 3:3 (NASB) >>>Now Solomon loved the LORD<<<, walking in the statutes of his father David, >>>except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.<<< According to T. Constable, Solomon is the only monarch in Kings said to “…love the LORD,” yet he clearly was not living in full obedience. G-d clearly seems to show Solomon grace. Is 1Pet 4:8 applicable here? 1Pet 4:8 (NASB) Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, >>>because love covers a multitude of sins.<<<
GJ

Greg Jones

Ashlyn, outstanding deeper dive. The conclusions you draw from what we just read I couldn’t agree with more. 3-We must reject selfishness and submit ourselves to God's purpose for our life and allow Him to use us to further His kingdom for His glory alone. That! 2-As believers in Christ, our primary responsibility is to love God and love others. That too! The greatest commandments are still the g o a t. 1-Everyone is a leader, whether you realize that or not. The only exception I would make is Bathsheba in the last chapter we read in the opinions of a lot of men who write commentaries. Apparently she didn’t have enough wisdom, or experience in dealing with a powerful man who’s intent is to deceive someone in order to conceal his true motive in a situation, to give Solomon wise counsel concerning his brother...After re-reading that account and thinking about her whole story, I’m taking my exception back. Bathsheba is a leader, whether you realize that or not.
GJ

Greg Jones

1 Kings 3:1 a couple of thoughts. A. Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. Solomon married up. What kind of dowry comes with marrying Pharaoh daughter? I would guess a couple thousand camels and a small summer pyramid in the country. I would be wrong. It was actually a place, a place called Gezer. A nice piece of property that Saul developed, and it came with a lot of dead Canaanites, one of Solomon’s enemies. 1 Kings 9:16-17. 1 Kings 3:9 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? Is Solomon declaring that up to this point in his life and looking back he sees a need for an understanding mind so that, he may discern good from evil? 1 Kings 3:10-11 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “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… With an alliance with Egypt secure in his pocket I see God as being pleased with Solomon identifying Israel’s greatest need in the moment.
GJ

Greg Jones

Q1 By giving Solomon more than he asked, what was God communicating about His character? The more he gave Solomon the more he expected Israel to benefit. Q2 How have you personally gained wisdom throughout your life? Is wisdom really "experience" as society says, or is it more? Great question. How old are you again? Is wisdom really “experience” or is it more? I would say that wisdom is a product. And experiences are often a part of the equations that produce that product. But experience alone is not = to wisdom. We can experience many things good and bad and not grow in wisdom from them. I would say a positive sense of critical self awareness is overlooked a lot when considering ways wisdom is formed. Q3a What do your requests to God look like right now? I kinda have what I consider a life prayer. It generally goes like this-God be in my thoughts. Some days that prayer may best be described as he stands at the door and knocks. But for many years I have found it to be a pretty good centering prayer for me. b What are you asking God for? It’s really less about specific asks.-It’s often just acknowledging a lack of awareness which usually affects how I look to gain perspective. c Are your desires and requests more focused on your circumstances and outward things? Great challenge question. I always have a desire to change the circumstances I would not choose. So there is definitely certain sense of a focus on the outward. But I also think God wires us that way. Something I think is less obvious to us is he has also wired us to be changed within the circumstances we wouldn’t choose. As for focus I would say it usually looks or sounds something like this for me. Father “be in my thoughts” how can I best affect this circumstance with what I have or what I know. Or Father “be in my thoughts” I don’t see a way to affect this circumstance with what I have or what I know, how can I gain perspective?
HS

Hugh Stephenson

Here is a helpful break down of chapter 1—4 from the notes. -The writer noted that Solomon's sole reign began well. -The things most responsible for this state of affairs were his political decisions (the first section, 2:13-46), -God's gift of wisdom to Solomon (the central section, 3:1-28), -and his administrative ability (the third section, 4:1-34). “Even though Solomon “loved the LORD” (3:3), he is a king with a divided heart, failing to keep the Law of Moses wholeheartedly as David had instructed (2:1–4).” The writer constructed the Solomon narrative (chs. 3—11)—like so many others in the Old Testament—to draw attention to the fulfillment or lack of fulfillment of prophecies made earlier.[71] The prophecy lies in 3:3-14, and we can trace the fulfillment through chapter 11. ————————————————— Several short comments on “wisdom”. “This wisdom is a supernatural gift from God. It is not innate (as it is implicitly in 1 Kings 2:6–9); and it is not acquired by patient hard work, utilizing careful observation and self-discipline (as it is explicitly in much of Proverbs and in 1 Kings 4:29–34). In the possession of such wisdom Solomon was unparalleled in Israelite history (none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you), as Hezekiah was unparalleled in trust (2 Kings 18:5) and Josiah in obedience to the Law of Moses (2 Kings 23:25).” “J. Sidlow Baxter distinguished between spiritual wisdom (insight into divine things) and practical wisdom (administrative discernment, sagacious judgment, intellectual grasp, aptitude for the acquisition of knowledge, and prudence in the directing of affairs). He claimed, and I agree, that Solomon asked for and received less of the first kind but more of the second kind.” “Wisdom in Israel and the ancient Near East was not synonymous with knowledge or education. It involved the ability to live life in a skillful way, so at the end, one's life would amount to something worthwhile. To the Israelites this was possible only if a person knew and responded appropriately to (i.e., feared) Yahweh.” ————————————————— Two very helpful comments on the “heart” "The heart (leb) in Israelite thought is the center of the psychic self. It includes especially mental activity but is broader in scope than English 'mind,' embracing the feelings and will as well. The heart is susceptible to become hardened, to be made fat (Isa. 6:10), and to dwell on evil (Gen. 6:5; 8:21); indeed, it is 'deceitful above all things' (Jer. 17:9). It is over against these capabilities of the heart that Solomon's request is to be understood. A 'hearing heart' [v. 9] is one that is open, receptive, teachable (Isa. 50:4). That to which the heart of the king should be open above all else is God's torah. The king ideally rules not on the basis of his own understanding but administers his realm in the light of God's revealed will."[90] While Solomon's request was pleasing to the Lord (v. 10), one cannot help but question if it was as good as Moses' request for an understanding of God and His ways (Exod. 33:13). In this we may see a difference between Solomon's heart and Moses' heart. Perhaps we should not be completely surprised, therefore, at the outcome of Solomon's life. He was brilliant, but he was perhaps not as godly, especially later in his life. Brilliance is good, but godliness is much better. We cannot do much about our God-given brilliance, but we can do something about our godliness (cf. 1 Tim. 4:8). It might have been better if Solomon had included in his request a heart for God, which his father David possessed. Nevertheless, the writer said that Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of his father David (v. 3).
WP

WYMAN POE

Why was Solomon selected to be king? Was he the "different" son in a palace of 19 sons? I think of all the mothers ( wives of David ) wanting to gain favor, for her son or sons, from the king who had little or no input in their raising. I think of the competition between these mothers, all living in the same house. Let's add to this dysfunctional palace a group of women considered 2nd class who also had sons. I can't imagine a more toxic environment to raise children. For me, the difference has to be Bathsheba. We all understand a mother's influence in a 2 parent family, but here there was no influence from the father. EXCEPT his being a role model for having a palace full of wives. Scripture tells us Solomon knew David loved the Lord, but I believe Solomon learned the foundational love of God from Bathsheba at an early age. Plus, she is the only one listed as having more than 1 son.
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Sue Bohlin

Thanks so much, Ashlyn! This introduction to Solomon resonates with me as I recall going on a "New Christian Retreat" with Campus Crusade two months after trusting Christ in college. In a conversation with another student who told me he had received direction from the Lord to ask for "wisdom beyond his years," I received my first nudge from the Holy Spirit: "You too. Let this be the prayer of your life." So for 50 years I have been asking for wisdom beyond my years. In what is probably the outflow of God's answer to that prayer, I noted in Ephesians 5:10 the biblical command to "find out what pleases the Lord." So for years I've been making a list in the back of my Bible (#blankpages) of where the text explicitly tells us something pleases or delights God. In verse 10 the writer tells us Solomon's request for wisdom pleased God. This morning I added #16 to my list.
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Michael Scaman

Solomon was wiser than ELon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Trevor Noah, Maria Bartaraloma and Einstien. In his day, Solomon was wise, wiser than Ethan or Heman according to the Bible and Ethan and Heman wrote Psalms 88 and 89 for us to read. Spurgron thinks Ethan may be choirmaster Jeduthan who wrote 3 more Psalms under the longer name. Solomon's discernment and wisdom had limits as his heart became divided and was drawn away form God in his later years. His divided heart would leave a divided kingdom. His wives led his heart to be divided even though he was 'the builder of the temple'. In contrast, the greater than Solomon, Jesus' judgement and wisdom were, are and still will be perfect Solomon built the house of God, the greater than Solomon but the greater than the temple which is the Church in Him and pointed to by the two Psalm of Solomon, Psalms 72 and 127.
JC

Jason Cromwell

I like Solomon prayed for both Wisdom and an Understanding Mind when I first became a Christian. Sometimes I have chosen the easy path and sometimes to quote one of my favorite Singer-Songwriters, "I've learned The Hard Way every time." God is good and I'm still here so......
AL

Amy Lowther

1. God was communicating that Solomon was a strong believer and good results happen to those who believe in God. 2. I have gained wisdom in life through working on a relationship with God and through working on a relationship with Jesus. God helps me think of who I am and the gifts I have available to me to use in daily life. Jesus helps me have example, comfort, and courage to do what is right and good in life. As I experience life, the guidance from God and support from Jesus help me become aware, gain understanding, and develop value of myself, others, and opportunities in life so my individual wisdom develops in positive ways. 3. My requests to God currently look like prayer. I give God respect and thanks for what He does. I also ask God for help in various areas for me and for others. My desires and requests may include everything and anything because God wants us doing our best, working with whole situations including the good and the not so good.