The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honour—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life” (1 Kings 3:5,7-14).
King Solomon had the nation in awe when he solved a difficult legal case involving two mothers who claimed the living child was hers and the dead child was the other’s. King Solomon passed a judgement for the living baby to be cut into two and each mother was to have a half of the baby. The false mother accepted the judgement but the real mother rejected it because the baby was her own. King Solomon was able to judge wisely because God kept to his promise and gave him a discerning heart to distinguish right and wrong.
God gave Solomon unsurpassed wisdom, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—was wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda and the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. He wrote three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He was knowledgeable about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He was no less knowledgeable about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. People sent by all the kings of the world came from all over the ancient world to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. He was renowned through the world (1 Kings 4:29-34). King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth (1 Kings 10:23). The nation of Israel during King Solomon’s reign enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity. King Solomon upheld justice and righteousness. God through His infinite wisdom recorded King Solomon’s wisdom in the book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Through King Solomon’s wisdom, he gained immeasurable wealth and honour.
May this be your desire to ask God for wisdom. You can also be like King Solomon by reading God’s word and obeying God’s commands and precepts. Ask God to grant you understanding of God’s Word so that you can be as wise as King Solomon. Even those around you—your family, friends and community can experience justice and righteousness. From this you will derive wealth and fame. Indeed, it was God who made King Solomon to be the wisest and wealthiest king!