Solomon: The Wise King 1 Kings 3 · Join the Journey

Solomon: The Wise King

1 Kings 3

We live in a world where answers are always at our fingertips. If I want to know how to fix something, I can watch a video. If I want to know what people think about something, I can read a thousand opinions. If I have a question, I can pull out my phone and probably find an answer in seconds.

But here's the problem: just because we have access to more information doesn't mean we have more wisdom.

We can know a lot about marriage and still be a terrible spouse. We can know a lot about parenting and still struggle to lead our children. We can know what the Bible says and still make foolish decisions.

Wisdom isn't just knowing what's true. It's knowing how to live out what's true. Have you ever known exactly what the right thing to do was, but still struggled to do it?

And today, we're going to look at a young king who understood that before he could lead God's people, he needed something he couldn't manufacture on his own. He needed wisdom from God.

For the last little bit we have been looking at the kings of Israel from the OT. David had ruled Israel for 40 years after Saul who was the first king of Israel. David was a complicated king. At times he was a man of great honor who trusted God, then at other times he failed tremendously. We saw a couple weeks ago that when we like David sin we must face it, feeling the guilt of it, that leads us to allow God to fix it so that we can forsake it.

Miles and Josh did such a great job last week. It’s so cool to see God raising up this generation!

Today we will see true wisdom begins with humility, grows as we seek God, and is demonstrated by how we live.

David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David. Solomon his young son sat on the throne of his father David. A little child as he will confess. But Solomon had learned from his father David that he would need to lean not on his own understanding but to trust in the Lord.

During the time of the judges, the time before the kings of Israel, Israel had adopted the Canaanite custom of offering sacrifices on high places. They had tried to mix this pagan worship with their worship to God. And even Solomon participated in this.

If you have your bibles turn with me to 1 Kings 3. If you don’t have a bible we have some on the back table. If you are looking for 1 Kings it is on the left side of your bibles, it comes right after 2 Samuel and right before 2 Kings.

Solomon’s Humility

1 Kings 3:3-4

1 Kings 3:3–4

Solomon even took part in this practice of offering sacrifices on the high places. But in everything else he walked in the instruction of David, and he loved the Lord. The Lord appears to Solomon and says, “ask me for whatever you want me to give you.”

This is Solomon’s response.

1 Kings 3:6-8

1 Kings 3:6–8

Solomon could have said anything. God give me riches, long life, death of enemies. But instead, we see Solomon’s humility. He thanks God for the great kindness that God has shown David and God was continuing to show him. Solomon recognized that it was only because of God’s kindness that he was king. Solomon also recognized that he didn’t know, what he didn’t know. “I am but a little child and don’t know how to lead your people.”

Later Solomon would write so much about wisdom and humility.

Proverbs 22:4

Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.

One of the most dangerous things we can do is become so confident in our own wisdom that we stop seeking God's. Sometimes the smartest thing you can say is, 'I don't know. I need God's help.'" Humility isn't thinking less of yourself; it's recognizing your dependence on God.

Wisdom starts with humility. Wisdom starts with recognizing that we don’t know what we don’t know and asking the one that does. Repeatedly in the Proverbs Solomon calls to search of wisdom, insight, decrement. Seek it and when we find hold on to it.

Wisdom grows when we ask God for it

Here is Solomon’s request of God.

1 Kings 3:9

Solomon could have asked for anything, but because he was humble, he asks God for discerning heart to lead and govern God’s people. To know what is right from wrong and be able to lead and judge God’s people justly.

Solomon shows us that wisdom starts with humility and when we don’t have it we need to ask God for it. James echo’s this in the New Testament.

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

God invites those who lack wisdom to ask him, trusting him to provide.

If you lack wisdom, humble yourself and ask God. When you don't know what to do, prayer should be more than your last resort. Ask God for wisdom before you respond, before you decide, and before you act.

Think about how often we ask God for a particular outcome.

• "God, help me get this job."

• "God, fix this relationship."

• "God, help this difficult situation go away."

• "God, open this door."

There's nothing wrong with praying about those things. But what if we also prayed, "God, give me wisdom to know how to respond whether this goes the way I want or not"? We often ask God to change our circumstances when we also need him to change how we approach those circumstances.

Notice what Solomon asks for. He doesn't simply ask to be wise so that he can have a successful life. He asks for wisdom so that he can lead God's people well. God had given him a responsibility, and Solomon recognized that he needed God's wisdom to fulfill it.

What has God entrusted to you? Your marriage? Your children? Your influence at work? Your opportunity to serve in the church? Whatever God has entrusted to you, you need his wisdom to handle it faithfully.

Sometimes we ask God to change our situation when what we need most is his wisdom to navigate it. Asking for wisdom doesn't guarantee God will give us the outcome we want or remove the difficulty. It means we can trust him to guide us in faithfully responding.

God was pleased that Solomon asked for wisdom.

1 Kings 3:10-14

1 Kings 3:10–14

Solomon would not only become one of the wealthiest kings to live but also the wisest. And his wisdom and discernment would soon by shown.

Wisdom is demonstrated by how we live

Two women both lived in the same home, and both had sons days apart. But one night one mother rolled over and her son died. She got up to find her son dead and she switched out her son for the other woman’s. When the other woman woke and found her son dead she was devastated. But after some further investigation she recognized that it wasn’t her son that had died but the other woman’s. So, she brings her case before Solomon and pleads her case. The other mother denies it.

But Solomon had a solution. He asks for a sword and tells the women that he will cut the child in half and then each could have half. Now Solomon had no intention to kill the child but knew that the true mother would show herself.

The woman that had made the switch said yes, neither of us will have him. But the other woman said, no give her the baby and don’t kill him. She showed her love for her son and was willing to give him to the other woman to save his life.

1 Kings 3:27-28

1 Kings 3:27–28

What made Solomon's response wise? He didn't simply listen to the two women argue and pick the person who sounded more convincing. He recognized what was at stake, discerned what was happening in their hearts, and made a decision that revealed the truth.

That's what wisdom does. It helps us see beyond the surface of a situation. It helps us distinguish between what seems right and what actually is right.

And we need that kind of wisdom in our everyday lives. We need it when we're making decisions, when we're navigating conflict, and when we're trying to figure out how to honor God in complicated situations. Biblical wisdom doesn't simply help us win arguments or prove we're right. It helps us recognize what is right and respond accordingly.

Jesus describes the wise person as someone who hears his words and puts them into practice. You can know the Bible, attend church, and listen to sermons every week, but wisdom is demonstrated when you actually obey Jesus.

Godly wisdom calls believers to live carefully and wisely, making the most of their time and understanding the Lord's will. Wisdom shapes how we spend our time, what we prioritize, how we treat people, and whether our everyday decisions honor God.

Godly wisdom encourages us to listen to advice and accept instruction so that we may grow in wisdom. Wise people are willing to learn from mistakes, receive correction, and change course when they recognize they've been wrong.

The fruit of the Spirit includes love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Wisdom shows up in how we respond when we're frustrated, how we speak when we're angry, and how we treat people who cannot do anything for us in return.

1. In our marriages and relationships

When a disagreement happens, our first instinct is often to prove that we're right. Wisdom asks a different question: "How can I respond in a way that honors God and loves this person?"

James 1:19–20

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Ask yourself: Am I trying to win the argument, or am I trying to honor God?

2. In parenting

We want to protect our kids and help them succeed, but wisdom recognizes that our goal is bigger than keeping them happy or making their lives easy. We want to help them grow in faith and character.

Ephesians 6:4 NASB

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

We parents are called to raise their children in the Lord's instruction.

Ask yourself: Am I making this decision based only on what makes my child happy today, or on what helps them grow into a faithful follower of Jesus?

3. When we face a major decision

A new job, a move, a relationship, or a change in direction can leave us uncertain. Rather than simply asking, "What do I want?" ask, "What does God's Word teach? What counsel should I seek? Which choice best honors him?"

Proverbs 3:5–6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. g

Ask yourself: Have I actually invited God into this decision, or have I already decided what I want and am looking for permission?

5. When someone hurts or frustrates us

Wisdom helps us resist the urge to react immediately, retaliate, or repeat something we shouldn't. Sometimes the wisest response is to speak truth gently. Sometimes it's to wait until our emotions settle. Sometimes it means establishing a healthy boundary.

Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Ask yourself: Will my response reflect the character of Christ, or simply the intensity of my emotions?

6. In how we serve others

Solomon asked for wisdom to lead God's people well. God gives us wisdom not merely for our own benefit but so that we can serve others faithfully.

1 Peter 4:10

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Ask yourself: Am I using what God has given me to serve myself, or to help others know and follow Jesus?

We seek God's wisdom so we can grow in our relationship with Jesus, live out our walk together, and equip one another to share the gospel.

Wisdom should make us better followers of Jesus and better servants of the people around us.

God asked Solomon: "Ask what you wish me to give you." Imagine God asking you that question today. What would you ask for?

Would we ask for more money, an easier life, more success, or for our problems to disappear? Those aren't necessarily wrong things to pray about.

But Solomon's request challenges us to consider what we value most.

1. Where do you need wisdom right now? Is it in your marriage, parenting, work, finances, or a difficult relationship?

2. Have you humbled yourself enough to ask God for it? Or are you relying entirely on your own understanding?

3. Are you willing to obey the wisdom God gives you? Because wisdom isn't simply hearing God's Word; it's putting it into practice.

I want to encourage you, every morning this week, before you start making decisions, before you respond to that difficult person, before you get caught up in everything you have to do, take a moment to pray:

“God, give me wisdom today. Help me see things the way you see them. Help me know what is right, and give me the courage to do it."

Solomon was a wise king, but he wasn't a perfect king. He could make wise judgments, but he couldn't guarantee that his own heart would remain faithful to God. And that's one of the reasons we need a King greater than Solomon. We need Jesus. Jesus doesn't just show us the way of wisdom; he came to rescue us from our sin and bring us back to God.

If you've never surrendered your life to Jesus, your greatest need isn't simply more wisdom. You need to be reconciled to God. Jesus, the greater King, died for our sins and rose again so that we can be forgiven and have new life in him. Turn to Jesus today, repenting of your sins and meeting Jesus in baptism.