1 Kings 3
Pastor Mark Hudson
From chapter 3 to chapter 10, Solomon is living with God’s richest blessings. As the third king of Israel, he will, like Saul and David, reign 40 years. Solomon may be as young as 20 years old when he become king. He has lived in luxury in the house of David growing up, but David’s house was not a normal house by any means. Solomon, in many ways, was like his father. At least until the end of his life when he turned away from the Lord.
Yet, we have already witnessed the division in David home with Absalom, Adonijah, Joab and others. As we read the early chapters of I Kings, we see fissures and cracks in the kingdom that will manifest into larger problems later. Even as Solomon is known for wisdom, in chapter 2, David introduces some ambiguity with wisdom when David, in verse 6, exhorts Solomon with, “Act therefore, according to your wisdom” and put Joab to death. So, although in chapter 3, Solomon’s wisdom in associated with justice (“they [the people] perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice” 3:28), wisdom in I Kings is also associated with violence.
The other ambiguous section is found in these early verses about high places. Deuteronomy 12:2-4, instructions the nation of Israel to destroy the high places. But in 3:2, we read that “the people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.” So, for a time, the high places are tolerated until the temple is built. Solomon goes to Gibeon’s high place and God meets him there. This is the most significant moment for Solomon’s future. After receiving this revelation, Solomon then goes to Jerusalem and worships before the ark of the covenant of the Lord in v. 15. Yet the high places become a thorn in Israel’s side.
The prelude to Solomon’s request for wisdom in verse three, where the narrator writes, “Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father . . .” when “God appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” It is hard to imagine God asking Solomon that question. Basically, God is saying, ‘whatever you want, I will give you.’ Solomon’s request is humble with the self-designation, “I am but a little child, I do not know how to go out or come in” in v. 7.
I find this story stunning. First that God would give a blank check to Solomon. What grace! Then that Solomon asked to be better equipped to serve God and His people. One must be impressed with David AND Solomon. These two were truly exceptionally gifted people. David is one of the most significant persons in the Old Testament and Solomon is not too far behind. Of course, God made Solomon wise by His gift of wisdom.
Solomon is such an enigma to me. The first ten chapters of I Kings is like reading a history of a revival. Until you read chapter 11. If Solomon can have this fantastic spiritual beginning but end so tragically, shouldn’t it make us examine our own heart? We can discuss this in chapter 11 but there are hints in these early chapters. Solomon’s biggest problem was his heart. He allowed himself to be drawn away from God by clinging to his wives in love (11:3). He begins to serve them rather than God. Yet, he starts off so very well. Beware of the evil inclinations of your own heart.
If the first part of this chapter is not strange enough, we read one of the most well-known incidents in Solomon’s life: the two prostitutes and a dead baby. Oh, I have so many questions. Why would two prostitutes think they can come before the King. Was it well known that there were prostitutes in Jerusalem? Was this a normal practice to have anyone come before the king. Admittedly, this was a thorny issue, no witnesses, both contradict the other, this concerns one baby they both lay claim to, and we still don’t know how the baby died since the first woman’s account is how she construes the events she admittedly slept through.
In the end, the word judgement, judges or justice (all from the same root) reminds us of what Isaiah knew in Isaiah 11. The coming Messiah would judge justly. You and I do judge a book by its cover. We tend to judge by what we see. The Messiah, “shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear.”
Truth, wisdom, justice, righteousness protect us. Favoritism, lying, refusing to be discerning, and other sins hurt others and ourselves. These are not merely words in the Bible but foundational to our relationships. These cannot be set aside without doing damage and inflicting harm on others. This is our great hope. Someday God will judge all and put all things to the right. Someday, believers will be no longer be fighting against sin, but we will be glorified and resting in His wisdom, justice, and righteousness. There will be no more sin. We will witness how easy it is for everyone to live together when we serve and love each other.
Dear Lord, we live in an unjust, unrighteous world that judges so poorly. We sometimes fall into the same trap. Even our churches fail to protect, correct, and love one another. Forgive us and fill us with your wisdom so we can better serve one another. We look forward to the returning Messiah by loving You, worshipping You and living according to Your Word. We love You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Christ’s glorious name. Amen.