Xanthe Hancox

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.  1 Kings 4:29

When I read this passage again this week, I was surprised to discover that God gave Solomon three things; I’d always just remembered the bit about wisdom. While I was mulling over the difference between wisdom, insight and understanding, I thought of the story in 1 Kings 3 where two prostitutes show up in Solomon’s court and argue over their two infant sons. One of the sons has died, and the other one still living is the object of both of their desire. Solomon is asked to sort out which woman is the true mother.

I’ve always loved this story because Solomon solves it a bit like a riddle. Since the women can’t agree, he orders the baby boy be cut in half and both of them to receive half. It sounds crazy, but Solomon knows what he is doing. He knows that the real mother would rather save her son’s life than see him brought to harm, even if it meant giving him to someone else. So when the woman who couldn’t bear to see that happen spoke up, Solomon knew she was the boy’s true mother, and he gave the boy to her.

This story tells me something about Solomon’s understanding “as measureless as the sand on the seashore” in the sense that he could see deeper into the matter than his own life experience could have taught him. Not only did he have insight into the situation and the wisdom to handle it, he understood the heart of a mother, even though he was not a mother himself.

In Proverbs 9:10, which was written by Solomon, we read that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” While our earthly experiences will give us some degree of wisdom, true wisdom, insight and understanding comes from a relationship with God. Paul takes things a step further in 1 Corinthians 1:30, “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” The wisest thing you can do today is draw nearer to Jesus, for there you will find righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Prayer: So often, Lord, I chase after worldly insight and wisdom when I should be chasing after you. Help me to spend more time in your Word and deepen my understanding of things that really matter. Amen