1 Kings 3:16-28
This is a well – known story from the early part of the reign of King Solomon. In verse 3, we read ‘Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David, his father’ and he offered burnt offerings to the Lord. When the Lord appears to him in a dream and asks: ‘What shall I give thee’ (verse 5), his response is to ask for wisdom: ‘that I may discern between good and bad, for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?’ (verse 9) The Lord is pleased with his answer and gives him ‘a wise and an understanding heart’ (verse 12). He will be a king who will stand out among the nations because of his wisdom, and also have riches and honour which he did not ask for.
Immediately, the chapter moves on to give this example of his wisdom, and it seems a strange set of circumstances. Two women come to see him, with their babies, sadly one has died and only one is alive. Both women claim that the living child is theirs.
The case brought before the king (v 16). It is clear from Solomon’s conversation with the Lord that he was expecting to have to make judgements for the people. David had done the same in 2 Samuel 14:4-21, 15:1-4. Solomon took time to listen to the testimony of the two women appealing for justice over the dispute. We note that they are described as ‘harlots’, and how amazing that they are allowed to stand before the King. We can think of the Lord who was criticised for spending time with and eating with ‘sinners’, and who showed compassion to woman brought to Him because of her adultery (John 8). Solomon and the Lord Jesus listened patiently to evidence brought before them and dealt with them wisely.
The difficulty of the case (v.17-22). Both women kept to their version of events before Solomon. ‘And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, “No; But the dead is thy son, and the living is my son.’ (verse 22). They brought no witnesses, these were women with little support, isolated, as ‘harlots’, their testimony would have little credibility. Solomon describes ‘harlots’ in Proverbs 2:16 as ‘the seductress who flatters with her words.’ He needed the wisdom of God to deal justly in this situation and as he asks for a sword, we are reminded that ‘the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword’ (Heb. 4:12)
The determination of the case (v. 23-27). Solomon restates their testimony in verse 23, there is no other evidence available, and he calls for a sword and states that the living child should be divided in two between the 2 women. How strange this seems and seemingly cruel, because why would anyone want half a dead baby? Would the king really murder a baby? Of course not, the wisdom of God cuts through to the heart of the matter and reveals the heart of the two women. So, the real mother would rather give her baby away if that meant the baby would still be alive. Therefore, Solomon has discerned who is the mother and the matter is resolved justly.
The reputation Solomon got among his people (v.28). The whole nation heard about what had taken place and it made a great impact: ‘they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in in him’. We think of our blessed Lord, greater than Solomon: ‘in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’ (Colossians 2:3).
We know that the ways of God seem strange to men, even seem cruel, the finite cannot understand the infinite. His ways are only understood by those who have the spirit of God within them. These ways have given sinners a standing before a greater throne than Solomon’s. In the words of Charles Wesley:
‘Tis mystery all: the Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the first-born seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
let angel minds enquire no more.
No condemnation now I dread:
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine.
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine.
Bold, I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown through Christ my own.
Simon