Solomon s Wisdom Living Faithfully in the Promise The Point God grants us wisdom through prayer. Key Verse Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil. - 1 Kings 3:9 Summary King Solomon asks God for the wisdom required to govern. God is impressed with Solomon s request and grants it. Solomon then helps solve a dispute between two women arguing over a child, both claiming that the child is theirs. Solomon s wisdom prevails, finding a peaceful solution to the problem. Accompanying Text Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. - Matthew 6:9-10 Contexts Linguistics In 1 Kings 3:9, Solomon requests a listening heart (Heb. šōmêa lêḇ) that is rendered in the NRSV as understanding mind. In Hebrew thought, the heart, not the mind, was the center of thinking and wisdom. 1 The Hebrew word for compassion is the plural of the root word for womb the connection between the two words is clear in verse 26 when the woman who gave birth to the child has compassion burning within her. 2 At the end of the passage, all of Israel stands in awe of the king the Hebrew (yārê) literally means to be afraid. This verb sometimes means awe and respect, but also is used to show fear and apprehension, as if the author of this text is purposefully leaving it ambiguous how Israel feels about their new king. 3 Geography/Setting The story begins at Gibeon, which is referred to in the text as the principal high place. Just before this reading, in 1 Kings 3:2, we are told that the Israelites in this time still used high places as altars since the temple had not yet been built. Gibeon is seven miles north of Jerusalem, which is likely why it had the 2017-2018 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 1
status of being the principal high place. Indeed, Solomon went to Gibeon to make his one thousand burnt offerings sacrifice, and it is also at Gibeon where God appeared to Solomon in a dream. 4 The second portion of the story takes place in Jerusalem, first at the ark of the covenant, where Solomon made additional burnt offerings; then, likely at the king s palace, where Solomon s wisdom is first tested. By the time of Solomon, Jerusalem was known as the political, economic, and religious center of Israel. This designation would be cemented with the building of the temple in 1 Kings 5-10. 5 History 1 and 2 Kings were likely written together during or shortly after the Babylonian exile (598-538 BCE), either by an individual or a group of writers. 6 This passage takes place at the end of the united period of Israel s monarchy. Solomon is set up as the last great king of Israel, foreshadowing the division of Israel into two kingdoms that follows Solomon s death. This passage also sets up the early golden period of Solomon s reign, that soon ends as Solomon is tempted away from God. 7 King Solomon is believed to have reigned from around 970-931 BCE. 8 Culture/Religion Burnt offerings were first prescribed in Exodus 20:24: You need make for me only an altar of the earth and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your offerings of well-being, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you. Exodus 20:24 occurs immediately after the Ten Commandments, emphasizing the importance of burnt offerings to Israelite religious practice. The sheer amount of burnt offerings that Solomon provides could be a sign of his extreme devotion toward God, but could also just as easily be used by the author to show his insincerity, as Solomon could have been simply making a big show about the amount of offerings he was leaving. The royal sword in Solomon s temple was more than an instrument of violence or protection: it also symbolized the authority to execute justice, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:41-42. The sword also connects to last week s readings, as Nathan had prophesied after David s sin against Uriah that the sword would not depart David s house. 9 The designation of the two women who were prostitutes was likely to show that they had little familial or legal protection, and likely were widows. Prostitutes were among the most vulnerable in the patriarchal Israelite society due to the fact that they had no male guardians to care for them for this reason, it has been suggested that many prostitutes may have been widows. This makes it particularly noteworthy that Solomon s first royal council after receiving wisdom from God was with two of the lowest members of Israelite society. It is also important to note that prostitution in this time period lacks the social judgement (i.e. that sex work or prostitution is immoral) our contemporary society generally assigns to sex workers. 10 Literature/Genre 1 and 2 Kings are part of the Deuteronomistic History. As such, the books in this category tell a theological history of Israel from the time of Joshua and the judges to the beginning of the Babylonian exile. They are connected to Deuteronomy in that a primary theme is covenantal fidelity to God as outlined in Deuteronomy 1-4. A theological history is an account of historical events within a narrative framework that shows God s relationship to the people of Israel. Additionally, 1 Kings is full of folk tales, such as the one of the two women, that help serve the theological-historical narrative. 11 Authorial Intention/Occasion The intention of the author is twofold: first, to show the origin of Solomon s wisdom and favor with God, and, second, to show that wisdom in action. This sets the stage for what comes next: Solomon becoming the wealthiest king of Israel and building the temple, but also his tragic fall as he turns to other gods and the split of Israel into two kingdoms. His tragic fall will become Israel s tragic fall, setting up the pattern of Israel disobeying God, leading to the Babylonian exile. 2017-2018 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 2
Audience The audience of the passage is the people of Israel living in exile in Babylon. The narrative arc of 1 and 2 Kings helps provide hope to a people in exile that God is ultimately in charge and God s love is unconditional. By showing Solomon s wisdom and his walking in the path of the Lord, this passage also serves as a call for the people of Israel living in exile to reaffirm the covenantal relationship with God. 12 Common Misunderstandings As mentioned above, the fact that the two women were prostitutes was not necessarily a social commentary on their morality, but rather a way of showing their social location. More Information Professor Christine Hayes at Yale provides an interesting and informative overview of Deuteronomistic History: http://oyc.yale.edu/transcript/955/rlst-145. 2017-2018 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 3
Connections Narrative Lectionary Connections Last Week (2 Samuel 11:1-5, 26-27; 12:1-9; Psalm 51:1-9) In last week s reading, we are introduced to Bathsheba and learn about David s straying from God by having an affair with Bathsheba and arranging for her husband to be killed. We also learn of David s repentance. In between last week s text and our text for this week, David and Bathsheba have a son, Solomon. When David dies, Solomon becomes king. Next Week (2 Kings 5:1-15a) Next week we fast forward around two hundred years. Israel split into two kingdoms, the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Elisha replaces Elijah as a great prophet in the northern kingdom. A mighty warrior named Naaman from the neighboring country of Aram is sent to Israel to find a cure for his leprosy. Elisha has Naaman bathe in the Jordan River seven times, much to Naaman s dismay. But Naaman is convinced to try it and is cured of his leprosy. Naaman returns to Elisha, rejoicing in God. Other Year 1 Connections God promising peace in Micah 1, 5, and 6 (11/11/18) and creating a plan for peace in Isaiah 36, 37, and 2 (11/18/18) both show God responding to the needs of God s servants, just as God responded to Solomon s request in this reading. Additionally, the call of Abram in Genesis 12 (9/16/18), an angel coming to Joseph in a dream in Matthew 1 (12/23/18), and the vision of Peter in Acts 10 (5/5/19) all show God communicating with God s chosen people and bringing them promises of redemption. Other Bible Connections Wisdom is a central topic in Proverbs, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, and the Psalms. In fact, Solomon has traditionally been considered the author of Proverbs, Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes, although modern scholarship no longer considers this to be true. James 3:13-18 describes two different kinds of wisdom: earthly wisdom, which actually turns out to be foolish, and heavenly wisdom, which is pure, full of mercy and peace. Thematic Connections Guided by God s Promises God promises to equip Solomon with the tools needed to be a wise and just ruler. Solomon, guided by that promise, judges wisely over a dispute between the two women. Living Faithfully in the Promise Solomon already shows his wisdom in his response to God s request, even before he is granted it! Likewise, we can faithfully respond to God s promise by asking God to provide us with wisdom to discern how to respond to difficult situations in our lives. Liturgical/Seasonal Connections We are currently in the Season after Pentecost, often referred to as Ordinary Time. As we move closer to Christ the King Sunday (11/25/18), this passage can help remind us that even the wisest of kings, like Solomon, are only human and make mistakes and can even lead us astray, helping us to realize our dependency on Jesus. In the United States, as midterm elections are right around the corner (11/6/18), this passage can serve as a reminder of what qualities make a good leader. This passage defines a few, including wisdom and the ability to discern justice. Hymns/ Music Hymns related to today s Bible passage include If You but Trust in God to Guide You, God Whose Almighty Word, Forgive our Sins as We Forgive, and Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God. 2017-2018 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 4
Praise songs that tie into the theme of wisdom include Perfect Wisdom of Our God and The Compassion Hymn, both by Keith and Kristyn Getty, and the children s song The Wisdom Song by Cedarmont Worship for Kids is Yours by Gungor; Let Creation Sing by Hillsong; Countless Wonders by Chris Tomlin. Media Connections King Solomon is a central figure in the back story of the video game Uncharted 3: Drake s Deception. Many classical composers have written oratorios and other works about Solomon, including Handel s Solomon and Marc Antoine Charpentier s Solomon s Judgement. Handel s oratorio can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdj2r_e9jfo. Huck and Jim debate Solomon s wisdom in Mark Twain s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The 1959 film Solomon and Sheba is perhaps the most famous film portrayal (the trailer can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sgjpi1qomk); however, numerous other films exist, including the 1995 remake starring Halle Berry and the recent Iranian film, The Kingdom of Solomon (2010). 1 Juliana Claassens, Commentary on 1 Kings 3:5-12 in Working Preacher (July 2008, Accessed June 2017), <https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=94>. 2 Gina Hens-Piaza, 1-2 Kings, (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2006), 44. 3 Ibid., 45. 4 Paul J. Achtemeier, et. al., editor, Gibeon in The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary, Revised Edition, (New York: HarperCollins, 1996), 377. 5 Ibid., Jerusalem, 497-508. 6 Hens-Piaza., 4. 7 1 Kings 1-11. 8 Edwin R. Thiel, The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings, 3 rd Edition, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, Publishing House, 1983), 78. 9 Hens-Piaza., 44. 10 Ibid., 42. 11 Ibid., 2-9. 12 Ibid., 6-9. 2017-2018 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 5