Early morning sun filters into the king’s throne room. Loyal servants hover about, but the peace is shattered by frantic women’s voices from the outer court pleading for an audience with King Solomon.
When King Solomon’s reign began, God offered to help, and Solomon literally asked for a “listening heart” to govern his people. An example of Solomon’s inspired wisdom is found in 1 Kings 3:16-28. Here’s how I imagine the scene.
The women’s arguing made Solomon chuckle to himself, he didn’t like to get involved in women’s quarrels, after all he’s gaining a reputation as a wise king. However, his heart is drawn into the unfolding drama because of another sound--the cries of an infant mixed into the fray.
He motions and two disheveled women walk toward his dais. A bawling newborn is swaddled in a sling in front of one, and the woman makes no effort towards comfort. King Solomon signals for a burly bodyguard to take the infant.
Massive-soldier Hiram does as the king asks, but a frown creases his brow as he awkwardly lifts the tiny babe to his shoulder.
Intent, Solomon listens as the women argue their plights, each claiming to be the birth mother. These facts emerge through their accusations. They live in the same house and both delivered sons the previous week. However, one of the sons died in the night, and now both women swear the tiny babe is theirs.
Solomon wonders which woman is telling the truth. He knows two facts: last night, one woman had a son die and one had a son stolen. Even a fool knew that information added up to two inconsolable women. A swift move of his hand signals for their bickering to stop.
Like a refreshing breath from above, a solution descends upon him. He looks toward Hiram who cradles the mewing infant and wonders how the giant guard has managed to calm the babe? He calls him forward and commands he unsheathe his sword.
Solomon reads his trusted guard’s eyes. Doubt briefly flickered, but he obeys. Hiram stretches out huge palms, in one the babe, in the other the haft of his razor-edged sword. A hush falls over the room.
Solomon steadies his gaze on both women and gives a command to half the child between them. Immediately one woman’s face registers smug pride, but the other woman’s eyes reflect indescribable pain, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” Solomon has his answer. Only a real mother would be willing to give her son to another to spare his life.
When Solomon became king, God offered him gifts. Instead of wealth, power, or fame he asked for good judgment. All of us could benefit from wisdom that descends from the King of Kings, the kind Solomon received.
James encourages, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
That’s a wise request king or not.
Showing posts with label wisdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wisdom. Show all posts
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Thursday, August 02, 2007
31 Day Plan
Solomon spoke three thousand proverbs. 1 Kings 4:32
How would you like to go on a 31 day treasure hunt? If so, during August, plan to read the 31 chapters of Proverbs in the Bible, authored for the most part by King Solomon. Summer temperatures will sizzle near 100, and you’ll want to retreat into the air conditioning. Why not plan to turn off the television and visit ancient wisdom, still practical in 2007.
Not everything in the Bible is about heaven and salvation even though the Bible is God’s story about interaction with man. In the wisdom literature, God spells out ways to live ordinary lives on earth with integrity, right thinking.
In the prayer, commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prayed that the Father’s will be carried out “on earth as it is in heaven.” By reading Proverbs in 31 days, one can get a crash course of very good advice for living out God’s will on earth. The first chapters teach reverence for God, a good starting place for all.
The book of Proverbs also tackles topics such as morals, honesty, humility, eating habits, friendships, laying traps, fools, laziness, gossip, lessons from nature, taking advice, knowledge, money management, honoring parents, how drunkards learn lessons, and marriage. Following are favorite Proverb truisms:
“Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house” (24:27). Build up your nest egg, before you build the nest.
“Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly” (17:12). An angry bear is recognizable, a fool, whoa, some of them look just like an average Joe.
“Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—too much of you, and he will hate you” (25:17). Situation comedy writers, are they reading Proverbs for screenplay ideas? How many times has the intrusive neighbor been a storyline?
“Let another praise you, not your own mouth, someone else, and not your own lips” (27:2). Bern Williams said, “The average man will bristle if you say his father was dishonest, but he will brag a little if he discovers that his great-grandfather was a pirate.”
One more proverb to whet your appetite: “A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will be refreshed” (11:25). You might not get a check in the mail, but heaven’s reward program is better than frequent flyer miles.
This August, I’ll pray a proverb over you—that you’re not waylaid by a she-bear with stray cubs or a fool with stray morals.
As you read 31 chapters in 31 days, watch for gems. You’ll absorb plenty of wisdom-guidelines, helping you to respect God and others for the other 334 days in a year.
Visit Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
How would you like to go on a 31 day treasure hunt? If so, during August, plan to read the 31 chapters of Proverbs in the Bible, authored for the most part by King Solomon. Summer temperatures will sizzle near 100, and you’ll want to retreat into the air conditioning. Why not plan to turn off the television and visit ancient wisdom, still practical in 2007.
Not everything in the Bible is about heaven and salvation even though the Bible is God’s story about interaction with man. In the wisdom literature, God spells out ways to live ordinary lives on earth with integrity, right thinking.
In the prayer, commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prayed that the Father’s will be carried out “on earth as it is in heaven.” By reading Proverbs in 31 days, one can get a crash course of very good advice for living out God’s will on earth. The first chapters teach reverence for God, a good starting place for all.
The book of Proverbs also tackles topics such as morals, honesty, humility, eating habits, friendships, laying traps, fools, laziness, gossip, lessons from nature, taking advice, knowledge, money management, honoring parents, how drunkards learn lessons, and marriage. Following are favorite Proverb truisms:
“Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house” (24:27). Build up your nest egg, before you build the nest.
“Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly” (17:12). An angry bear is recognizable, a fool, whoa, some of them look just like an average Joe.
“Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—too much of you, and he will hate you” (25:17). Situation comedy writers, are they reading Proverbs for screenplay ideas? How many times has the intrusive neighbor been a storyline?
“Let another praise you, not your own mouth, someone else, and not your own lips” (27:2). Bern Williams said, “The average man will bristle if you say his father was dishonest, but he will brag a little if he discovers that his great-grandfather was a pirate.”
One more proverb to whet your appetite: “A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will be refreshed” (11:25). You might not get a check in the mail, but heaven’s reward program is better than frequent flyer miles.
This August, I’ll pray a proverb over you—that you’re not waylaid by a she-bear with stray cubs or a fool with stray morals.
As you read 31 chapters in 31 days, watch for gems. You’ll absorb plenty of wisdom-guidelines, helping you to respect God and others for the other 334 days in a year.
Visit Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
