*1 Kings 3:16-28
King Solomon demonstrates his wisdom by discerning the true mother of a child through a clever test.
- The Dispute:
- Two women, both mothers, come before King Solomon, each claiming to be the mother of a newborn baby boy.
- One woman asserts that the other accidentally smothered her own infant while they slept, swapping the deceased child with the living one.
- The other woman vehemently denies this accusation, insisting that the living child is rightfully hers.
- Solomon’s Judgment:
- Solomon listens attentively to both women’s claims, recognizing the gravity of the situation.
- In a stroke of wisdom, he proposes a solution to discern the true mother.
- He orders a sword to be brought forth, declaring his intention to divide the living child in half, giving each woman a portion.
- Revealing the True Mother:
- Upon hearing Solomon’s decree, the true mother, out of genuine maternal love, pleads for the child’s life to be spared, even if it means losing him to the other woman.
- In contrast, the other woman shows no concern for the child’s well-being, agreeing to the division as proposed by the king.
- Solomon’s Verdict:
- Solomon, deeply moved by the true mother’s selfless display of love, discerns her as the rightful parent.
- He declares her the true mother and awards her custody of the child, sparing his life.
- The People’s Response:
- Witnessing Solomon’s divine wisdom in action, the people of Israel marvel at his judgment and revere him as a wise and just king.
- They acknowledge that the wisdom bestowed upon Solomon surpasses that of any other ruler of his time, solidifying his reputation as a legendary figure in Israel’s history.
Daily Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for showing us the wisdom You gave to Solomon in making difficult decisions. Teach us to seek Your guidance when we face challenges and to act with fairness and understanding.
Help us to have hearts that are willing to listen and to seek the truth in all situations. Give us the wisdom to make choices that reflect Your love and justice.
Thank You for being a source of wisdom and strength. May we always trust in Your ability to guide us in every situation.
Amen.
1 Kings 3:16-28 (KJV)
3:16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
3:17 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.
3:18 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.
3:19 And this woman’s child died in the night; because she overlaid it.
3:20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
3:21 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.
3:22 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. Thus they spake before the king.
3:23 Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.
3:24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.
3:25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
3:26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.
3:27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.
3:28 And all Israel heard of 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 judgment.