After firmly establishing his grip on his father’s kingdom, Solomon began his reign with key strategic alliances. It was a common practice in the ancient world to give their daughters away in marriage, in lieu of a peace treaty. Solomon was no different, as he married several women just to maintain a relationship with their fathers. One such alliance was the one that he made with Pharaoh, king of Egypt, during the construction of the temple of the LORD. He even brought her to the city of David, until he finished building a separate palace for her.
Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.
1 Kings 3:3 (NIV)
Solomon had mixed pagan cultures into his worship, perhaps, in an attempt to follow the traditions of his many wives. In the book of Deuteronomy (chapter 17), Moses spoke about a day when Israel would have its own king. He had warned that the king of Israel should exhibit a stark difference in governance from the rulers of the surrounding kingdom. The king should not seek to make himself wealthy or accumulate wives as trophies. The king should also never return to Egypt, the land that held the Israelites captive for many years. These among others were key for Israel and their leaders, to set themselves apart from the other nations, however, Solomon did not adhere to any of Moses’ instructions.
The Dream
In those days, before the construction of the temple of the LORD, the altar at Gibeon was the most sacred place in all of Israel. One day, Solomon went to the altar at Gibeon to sacrifice his burnt offerings to the LORD, that night, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, saying, that he could ask for whatever he wanted. Solomon acknowledged his naivety and did not want his lack of experience to hinder his judgement in governing the LORD’s people.
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?”
1 Kings 3:9 (NIV)
The LORD was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom and not for wealth or a long life. Given it was peacetime, the king did not even ask for the death of his enemies, a favourite prayer request that his father would make to the LORD (Psalms 55, Psalms 109). He would be given more wealth and honour than any other king and if he walked in the way of the LORD, he would be given a long life as well.
Then Solomon awoke —and he realized it had been a dream.
1 Kings 3:15 (NIV)
He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.
Wisdom Beyond Compare
One day, Solomon was confronted with a perplexing case of two women, claiming to be the mother of the same child. Two prostitutes approached the king, each presenting their case and insisting that the child in question was rightfully theirs. As the women argued vehemently, the king remained calm and composed, and proposed a solution that would reveal the true mother. He ordered a sword to be brought to the court and suggested cutting the disputed child in half, with each woman receiving an equal portion. One woman readily agreed to this proposition, while the other immediately pleaded for the child’s life to be spared, even if it meant that she would lose her case.
Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.” When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.
1 Kings 3:27-28 (NIV)
The woman who was lying in the court did not care that she killed her baby, nor was she even slightly perturbed at the thought of killing another baby to justify her stance. When we are so deep in hatred for our fellow beings, we do not even stop to think how our actions will impact others. We operate by the basic instinct, that if we can’t have it then no one else should also possess it. Solomon’s judgement was clear: only the true mother would show such compassion and sacrifice for her child. By identifying the woman who pleaded for the child’s life, Solomon exposed the genuine maternal bond that transcended all doubts. The king’s discernment in this matter solidified his reputation as a wise and fair ruler.
Solomon had twelve district governors over all Israel, who supplied provisions for the king and the royal household.
1 Kings 4:7 (NIV)
Solomon’s cabinet consisted of the people who were loyal to him and did not side with his brother during the coup. They included Azariah, who was a priest and the son of Zadok, as well as Elihoreph and Ahijah, who served as secretaries. Jehoshaphat was the recorder, while Benaiah was the commander-in-chief. Zadok and Abiathar were priests, and Azariah, the son of Nathan, was responsible for overseeing the district governors. Zabud, also a son of Nathan, was a priest and adviser to the king. Ahishar held the position of palace administrator, and Adoniram, the son of Abda, was in charge of forced labour.
God granted Solomon exceptional wisdom, surpassing that of the people of the East and Egypt. His understanding was vast and immeasurable, comparable to the countless grains of sand on the seashore. He possessed vast knowledge on a wide range of subjects from different types of plant life, such as the cedar of Lebanon and the hyssop that grows out of walls, to all types of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish. Yet, with all the wisdom that Solomon possessed, he too failed to walk in the path of God and was easily swayed by his wives to worship idols.
Even the wisest king did not make the right choices. However, we know that by our own efforts, we will never measure up to the standards of God. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit, can we walk on the path of God. Solomon made the right call when he did not ask for wealth or power but the wisdom that he desired was only to help him govern his people, which God granted him in abundance as can be seen in how he handled the case of the two prostitutes. However, if we are given the same option, we know what we should be asking for, it is God’s Spirit to help us stay on His path during our walks in this earth.
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:13 (NIV)
We have all heard, that knock and it shall be opened, seek and you shall find, ask and it shall be given to you. If we read further in the same passage, we will realise that Jesus clearly states that the only thing we should be seeking or asking for, is His Spirit. Let us learn from Solomon’s mistakes and not lean on our wisdom but on every word that comes from God.
Discussion Questions
- Why does Solomon make an alliance with the king of Egypt, a country that oppressed His people in the past?
- Have we lost our ability to distinguish between right and wrong? Then why does Solomon ask for this ability from the LORD?
- If the wisest king who ever lived could not live up to God’s standards, what chance do we have?
The Jordan Valley 
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