1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
“The Boy King”
Solomon was eighteen to twenty years of age when he ascended to the throne as King of Israel. Basically, one day he’s graduating from high school and the next, he’s being thrust to the apex of national recognition. Nor did this transition come easily. There had been, quite literally a life and death struggle for the throne of David, a struggle between brothers. This was not an easy transition. But suddenly, Solomon finds himself the leader of God’s people.
1 Kings 3:9
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
Solomon prayed for and received wisdom from God, but careful attention to this passage demonstrates some amount of Godly wisdom on Solomon’s part to begin with. He prayed for wisdom. That, in and of itself was …wise. Beloved, how many of us make God our first resort rather than our last? Faced the enormity of leading God’s chosen people, Solomon sought the LORD, God Almighty for help. God heard Solomon and blessed him with Wisdom.
Isaiah 11:3
and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Young Solomon’s reverent fear of God positioned him in the stream of God’s consciousness. As long ha he maintained an attitude of personal reverence to the Lord, it would remain so. All of Israel was watching the boy king. Could he continue his father’s legacy? Could he lead so great a nation? The people of God watched and waited with anxious anticipation. The first major test of his mettle came early.
Job 16:19
Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.
1 John 2:1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
Two young mothers, one child dead, one child remaining between them; theirs were the worst of circumstances. It’s easy and somewhat natural for us to make a number of assumptions about them; their character, their poor choices, bad decisions. Often times, when we encounter people from underbelly of society, our first impression is that they somehow deserved it; that they could have done better, been more responsible. As humans, we often rush to judgment. As Christians, we think of it as a right, a sacred duty to condemn those who are not like us (uh-oh). The beauty of this story is that these two women had an audience with the king. God causes it to rain on the just as well as the unjust. That tells me that God’s desire for mercy is beyond our ability to completely comprehend. The word that comes to mind is …. ‘Grace’. God extends his grace and mercy to all, regardless of their station in life. Ultimately, that’s why his judgment is pure. Hell was not made for man. Let us not be so quick in determining who among us belongs there.
Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
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1 Kings 3:23
The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”
Two women heatedly arguing in the presence of the king. Mercy! The first test of Solomon’s leadership ability was right here. Could he maintain control of his court? Ever had to break up a fight? It can be a real act of courage to step in and take authority over a situation that is devolving or has devolved in to violence. Young Solomon breaks up the argument by interjecting himself into it. Rather forcefully.
1 Kings 3:24
Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king.
I can imagine that suddenly, both women are wondering if being before the king at this particular moment was the right place for them to be. The king, a sword; judgment could be swift and merciless. Solomon was in complete control at this point; all eyes on him. That is as it should be. There will come a day when we each stand before the judgment seat. Let us be reminded that in that moment, it won’t be about us. This won’t be our ‘moment’ on the big stage of eternity. It will be about Him, our Father God, who sits on that throne before which, we stand.
1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never fails…..
At the end of the day, love prevails. The difference between a godly king and an ungodly one is that, in all likelihood, there would have been an execution that day. The baby would have been killed, or maybe both women executed, or maybe just the women whose baby died. What is of note at the end of this story is what is missing. If justice prevailed and the baby was returned to his rightful mother, what was the fate of the other mother? After all, didn’t she somehow deserve punishment? Beloved, we’ll never know. Not in this life. That’s a good thing. Ultimately, the take away for this story is that where there is godly wisdom, all peoples benefit, regardless of their station in life. Solomon’s wisdom established God’s righteousness for a nation. True justice; God’s justice will always contain elements of compassion and mercy, even towards the most unworthy among us (Oh! That’s me! Oh my! Thank God for Jesus!). Beloved, there is room at the Cross for you.
Enjoy the lesson!!
.wb
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