1 Kings 3:16-4:34

1 Kings 3:16-4:34

Although we have seen Solomon handle some tough situations already, the second half of 1 Kings 3 is the first situation we see after God gave him the wisdom he desired. Two women, prostitutes from the same house, came to Solomon in dispute over a young child. They had both given birth within days of one another, and one night, one of the children died (due to the mother sleeping on top of him). That mother switched the babies, so that she would still have a child, and the other mother knew that the dead baby in her arms the next morning was not her child. So they went to Solomon to get the situation resolved.


Solomon listened carefully to the story and knew that there was no way of figuring out who the true mother is. Think about it, they did not have tests that they could take in those days that would tell them who the real parents were. So Solomon commanded that the baby be divided in two, half given to each woman. Now while this seems barbaric, and catches the reader off guard, Solomon got the reaction he was looking for. The real mother spoke out in fear that her son would be killed and offered to give the child up to the other woman in an effort to save his life. The other mother, however, went along with Solomon’s commands and asked for the child to be divided in half. Now, which is the true mother? It is pretty obvious by their reactions, and that is what Solomon was looking for. He gave the child to the woman who spoke up first, knowing that she was the true mother, and the situation was resolved.

This situation brought Solomon closer to his people. They were amazed at the wisdom of Solomon and knew that it had come from the Lord. As a result, Solomon’s kingdom began to flourish just as God had promised. He was able to set up his various officials, who were mostly new people (as he had previously killed off most of the officials that David had used). He was also able to extend the borders of Israel, even beyond what David had done. God gave him the lands surrounding Israel, and there continued to be peace in the land. His riches began to accumulate as well. Not only was Israel prospering as a nation, but Solomon was prospering as well. There was nothing that he did not have. God gave him the wisdom that he had desired but also decided to bless him with riches, wealth, fame, and peace as well, because Solomon had chosen to follow and obey God.

Finally, the closing verses of 1 Kings 4 show the kings of the surrounding nations coming to Israel to hear the great wisdom of Solomon. Israel was finally where God had wanted them all along. They were a light to the world, and the nations were coming to them, seeing the great nation that they possessed. As a result, the kings of these surrounding nations could not help but encounter God, the God of Israel. They were able to see all that God had done for Israel, and if they had truly turned to God, He would have provided for them as well. Remember that God was not just the God of Israel. He was the God of all the nations even in the Old Testament, and He was reaching out to all the peoples of the earth then as well. This was one of those great moments where Israel was truly seeking God, and the world took notice.

Matt