Week 15: Wisdom
Weekly Reading:
II Samuel 15 - I Kings 3
Opening Prayer
Father God,
Thank You for loving me. You love me despite my fears and when I lack faith. You love me when I am restless and untrusting. You love me and take care of my needs. Give me the wisdom to trust in You and rely on Your strength.
Amen
Study
Wisdom is a seldom-seen word anymore. We value resourcefulness, intelligence, cunning. Intelligence, the capacity for learning and understanding, or cunning, which, while coming from experience, is often crafty, fall short of wisdom. But wisdom, the knowledge-based experience allows the ability to judge what is true or correct, gives one a higher capacity than just intelligence alone.
David warned Solomon in I Kings 2:2-4 to be courageous when David dies and passes the throne. David tells Solomon to follow God and keep His commands as written by Moses to be successful. In other words, use your judgment and wisdom when on the throne.
Why would wisdom be so important? Why not be a resourceful king? An intelligent king? A cunning king? David knew that the wisdom of a king was necessary to lead the people of Israel. Yes, Solomon must be resourceful and intelligent, but he must also use the wisdom of his ancestors, Moses and Abraham, to lead his people.
We are uncertain how old Solomon was when he became king; many biblical references put him around 20. We know he reigned for 40 years (I Kings 11:42), and other assumptions can lead us to believe he was about 20 at the time of David’s death.
Imagine taking over for the mighty King David at 20 years old!
· Where were you at age 20?
· What decisions were you making?
· What responsibility was on your shoulders?
Heavy is the head that wears the crown indeed (Shakespeare in King Henry IV)
Solomon was intelligent enough to know that he lacked the wisdom to rule over a kingdom.
When God came to Solomon to ask what Solomon wanted, Solomon acknowledged God’s faithfulness to David and his continued faithfulness in making Solomon, heir to the throne (I Kings 3:9). Solomon asked for wisdom.
The Lord was so pleased by Solomon’s request that he granted not only wisdom and an understanding heart. Not only did God give Solomon more wisdom beyond anyone before or after, but He also awarded him with riches and fame (I Kings 3:10-14).
Solomon’s request: “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
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 honor—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.” I Kings 3:9-14, NIV.
Solomon’s humbleness in admitting his need and dependence on God for wisdom impressed God. God’s wisdom is different and more significant, fantastic, and holy than earthly wisdom (I Corinthians 3:18-21).
Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness” and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours 1 Corinthians 3:18-21 NIV.
Only through God and seeking God’s wisdom and understanding can we be truly wise.
Closing Prayer
Father God,
You are the ultimate provider, our deliverer, and our strength. But you also are the provider of wisdom. Give us the discernment to see what wisdom comes from You and what does not. Father, I pray for vulnerability and humbleness to know that I lack wisdom. I love you Lord.
Amen
Homework
Where do you lack wisdom in your life?
Is there an area to which you close your eyes?
Pray that God provides you with eyes to see, ears to hear, and an open heart where you need more wisdom and understanding.
