The king (Solomon) said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while this one says,’No! Your son is dead and mine is alive’. . . Bring me a sword! Cut the living child in two, and give half to one and half to the other.” The first woman said, “Please, my lord, give her the baby! Don’t kill him!”

Then the king gave this ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.” (1 Kings 3:16-27) 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 3:28)

Dramatic as this story is, strong in three vivid characters: Solomon and two prostitutes, it is not really about any of these, but rather about God Himself. It’s not the wisdom of common sense, or even of psychology that is displayed here, but rather the gift that was promised to Solomon by God: “ I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.” (1Kings 3:12)

I have heard the question more than once, “What if the first woman had never said, ‘Give her the baby?’ Solomon was taking a big risk!” I laugh, because Solomon was never taking the smallest risk. His words were not his own, They were the fulfillment of God’s promise of the gift of God’s wisdom previously unknown on earth. They were the very words, measured and calculated by God, who knew both women better than they knew themselves. “Bring me a sword” were infallible words because they were God’s words given to Solomon.

This incident happened in one place at one time for many reasons, all of them God’s reasons. Solomon was far from being the next in succession to inherit his father David’s throne. He had four living brothers older than himself, all closer to the throne than he; nevertheless, God had told David that Solomon would be his heir. David had ensured the succession before he died, but the nation was still unsure, as there had been strife with two of the older brothers.

To the people of Israel Solomon’s judgment of the two women assured them of his gift, a gift from the only God they trusted at that time. God could have chosen any way to establish Solomon as king. He chose two prostitutes and a baby to reveal Himself in Solomon. I find that very hopeful for myself.

Love in Him,

Prue