I agree. God's glory through His creation reflects God. Just studying any aspect of God's creation shows amazing detail, intelligent thought, and brilliant design. Many scientists are actually religious activists who hardly use the scientific method for anything, but just use science as a label to claim authority and dominance over others. Like Fauci.
1 KINGS 3:16-28 There is no conflict or contradiction opposing FATH to SCIENCE. Faith and Science complement each other in resolving problems to their corresponding, factual, real, truthful solutions! God said "Let there be light and there was light and the Lord SAW that the light was good." God spoke and the Universe came into being! That's "spiritual-scientific real factual Truth! As proven through his demonstrated wisdom in decision-making - His proposition did properly justly resolve the problem by his discovery of the FACTUAL REAL TRUTH! The child was NOT cut in two, after all, so that each "mother" is satisfied with half of the child, and the King's conscience would be clear, by appearing to be "fair to both women," and yet while he would be committing a crime worse than the theft of the child itself: DEATH of the child. Thus, King Solomon reduced the problem, i.e., who is the REAL TRUE FACTUAL MOTHER, to its simplest fundamental Form of explanatory expression: People are naturally self-centered in seeking their own selfish HEARTFELT REAL ENDS, ONLY TO THEIR OWN BENEFITS! Thus, the King rightly discerned, judged, and decided, with wisdom and understanding, that: THE TRUE REAL FACTUAL MOTHER has to love her child so much that she will sacrifice her own selfish interest and personal pride so that the child is neither harmed nor killed in the process; for, THE CHILD remains, always and foremost, her primary concern and interest, and, NOT her own selfish egocentric benefits from the outcome! LOVE overcame pride and selfishness and the child did LIVE! Conclusion: Just as E = mc squared is scientific in yielding nuclear bombs, both fusion and fission, God's Word of perfect knowledge and understanding also yields factual real truth-results. The child lived and the real factual true mother was exposed due to her selfless love for her child. Thus, God's living Word of Truth in Christ Jesus is as scientific as a mathematical equation like E = mc squared! ***
1 KINGS 3:16-28 The wisdom of Solomon in deciding who is the real mother of the child clearly proves that there is no such thing as "a gray area" or that "truth is relative." When mortal Humans don't know - such as the case of King Solomon who did not know who the real mother was and who the thief was - they say, "well, probability says 50/50;" or "this is a gray area, there is no right or wrong answer." BUT, in scientific fact and logical reasoning, there is an absolute pre-determined truth regarding the situation at hand: THERE is a real true factual mother of the child, but, UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF DECISION. That's the crux of the matter with mortal Humans who have limited knowledge, imperfect reasoning capacity, sinful fleshly nature, intrinsic lack of wisdom; and who often, to their detriment for not thinking thoroughly about a direct corresponding true solution to the factual problem, rush to judgment, either from ignorance or panic, to make rash vital life-and-death deicisions based upon FALSE assumptions, preconceived biases, individual preferences, or prejudicial personal worldview, perspective, faith, belief or doctrine. "It's a gray area" because THEY don't know the actual genuine corresponding true answer to the factual problem before them; but, once discovered, the factual truth was NOT gray, but, very clear, succinct, firm, absolute, and already incontrovertible. But, KING SOLOMON, did NOT err that way! For, just because the genuine answer to the factual problem at hand, is yet, FROM THE START, unknown by mortal Humans, does not make the answer "a gray area" with no right or wrong solution. The genuine truthful factual solution MUST BE FOUND by the exercise of wisdom and good judgment, as KING SOLOMON proved in DISCERNING THE RIGHT WAY to extract the factual truth from the situation. Solomon did NOT succumb to "this is a gray area;" "chance accident probability rules here;" nor any other godless secular nonsense! His method worked perfectly well! ***
Verse 9-We see the humble and modest prayer that Solomon offered and how this was very pleasing to God. We must approach God in a humble and modest way as well when we are praying.
This statement is true. Nonetheless; we must remember his fall; which as is commonplace among Israel's rulers due to a PREDICTED series of events conditional with his behavior. First of all; there was a general warning in scripture about multiplying gold and silver and horses (although at present I'm not sure where it is; maybe Psalms or Proverbs). There was a specific warning of not being drawn away to foreign gods; which the 300 wives and even MORE "concubines" that his soul loved certainly moved him to do with their various pagan traditions. Ecclesiastes wrote about his vain search for knowledge; wealth; and other pleasures of life; after his folly cost him dearly so at least there is some indication that he had learned some lessons. Pride comes before a fall. Not only was his personal life compromised; but it ruined what could have been a perpetual role for Israel as a nation with its leaders. The Lord foresaw all this; of course and despite all this the lineage leading to Christ would finally result in the "Son of David" to manifest. The Babylonians were to soon take all the wealth from the Temple and the people led to exile eventually after this.
We also need to soberly consider Lucifer's fall; with his great privileges and standing being ruined due to pride. The rich can be ensnared by the cares of this life; and there are further warnings of drowning in perdition. David himself was most harshly judged by God when he took the census of the fighting men; which was an affront to trusting God rather than horses and chariots and armies of men as God Himself had warned about. The Lord giveth; and He taketh away. A man's life consists not of His possessions. We are asked to pursue heavenly treasures; not those on earth where rust and moth corrupt. It isn't money itself; but the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil. Naked we came into the world; and naked we shall depart.
With greatness; comes great responsibility. Food for thought
It is also interesting to me that apart from being chosen by God and being an Israelite, in nearly all other respects Solomon didn't gain the wisdom to apply to himself Deuteronomy 17:14-20. He instead gave himself over to his earthly appetites in multiplying horses ( 1 Kings 4:26), wives ( 1 Kings 11:3), and gold ( 1 Kings 10:14) and silver ( 1 Kings 4:27)
23. So king Solomon exceeded all the kings OF THE EARTH, for riches and for wisedome. 24. And ALL THE EARTH sought to Solomon, to heare his wisedom which God had put in his heart. ( 1 Kings 4:23-24).
Christ has fulfilled Deuteronomy 17:14-20. He is God's true choice for king to reign over all his brethren, and rather than turning His heart or the people's heart away from God or exalting Himself above His brother's as Solomon and even more foolishly Solomon's son Rehoboam did ( 1 Kings 12:4-17), He fulfilled God's will and humbled Himself in the upper room and in His death on the cross.
Solomon got the earthly visible form of wisdom and all of the other things to reign over a visible people and nation of this age and in that no one will beat him.
However, the book of Ecclesiates shows that Isaiah 40:8-9 still holds true over all that Solomon was given in this visible life.
Jesus Christ has the heavenly invisible form of power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing ( Revelation 5:12) hidden in the Old Testament scriptures that Solomon was only an earthly shadow of. Christ is the substance. Christ Himself is the Word of God that is eternal and that gives the abiding eternal life that Isaiah spoke of, but that Word is hidden from all those who only seek what is under the sun. Set your mind on Him and by faith abide in Him to bear fruit rather than setting your mind on the things Solomon got that all passed away when his life ended on earth. Being super rich in the things that pass away is nothing compared to the poorest person that has the smallest treasure in heaven that is eternal. The only thing left of Solomon that has lasted is his contribution to the scriptures that reveal and point us to Christ, and that is the only thing that will last in any generations we leave behind at the end of our earthly lives and in eternal life.
Christ is King of kings who's reign for now is only revealed and proclaimed through a foolish nation and people as far as the men of this world and its wisdom are concerned, but we are born of the wisdom of God revealed only to those who are in Christ. Focus your prayers on how to live wisely among the people of God's Kingdom that stand on a sea of glass more than any earthly nation like the one Solomon reigned over or that you see tossed about by the waves of the sea today. What we see is passing away.
Solomon prayed the right prayer according from a sincere heart. He did not pray according to his need or want he thought he wanted but what he knew was for the people. God saw he was not selfish and wanted to understand and judge the people right so God gave him much more than he ask for and there is not one king before nor will there be one after him who was as wise. Plus God made him super rich. He was the richest king more than his Father King David. I desire more wisdom and understanding from God it is a great thing.
A true mother would sacrifice the stolen child than to be hurt. Good timing of God's gift to Solomon to be able to discern this situation. Not coincidence. The wrong mother was fine with child being split in half.
To continue: That is why we have so many partners, and to think that we have the strength to keep God's commandments is another story entirely, we need to pray to God for wisdom and understanding, in all things, even if we think we know. Whether home or abroad.
After reading this chapter, and the previous chapter, the thought has come to me, that we are born of this world, and placed whether male or female thinking that after a certain age we know what to do, and how to do it, especially if we have gone to school, but in actuality we know nothing, and we are too blind to ask God, on whether it is how to be a good wife, or husband.
Hmmm "neither mine nor thine". That is where the problem is. It is the vocabulary of Satan. The motivation behind everything he does. I missed it so you too must miss it. God save us.
Verse 9~Solomon asked for an obedient and understanding heart so that he would make wise decisions and be pleasing to Jehovah God. We can pray for the same.
"Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? one who is able to judge between his brethren?" and, "why even of yourselves, judge ye not what is right?" It is a bad teaching that says we as Christians are not to judge. "Know ye not that we shall judge angels? . . . Know ye not that the Saints shall judge the world?" How else are we to keep the Lord's house clean and safe from wicked spirits?
Irene (cont.) and when Solomon had that dream when God appeared to him, and told him to ask whatever he wanted; what was in his heart was to be like his father David in his ability to care for Israel. If he had secret pride, as you say, how did God not see it afar off, and confront him with that evil in his heart? you are mistaken about that! God saw what was in his heart, and was pleased to give.
Hi Irene; the way I read about David, the Lord's testimony of him was for ever after, that David walked with God with a perfect heart all his days, (except in the matter of Bathsheba), and that he was a man after God's own heart. He very much did often ask (read the Psalms!) for wisdom and guidance. Solomon was as a child in his own eyes, when he was called by God to step into David's shoes . . .
David wasn't perfect. But, he never asked for the wisdom for himself to judge GOD'S people; GOD'S people, not his. Solomon had a hidden sin in his walk - that only knew of: pride. He should have learned from David that God is FAR wiser in judging His people than man is. Solomon asked for something that was the province of only God. God had His reasons for granting his prayer for wisdom.
James
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. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded"
It is inspiring that Solomon did not ask the riches of these world but wisdom because already he got the kingdom to rule his people with wisdom from nothing can overcome wisdom that comesfrom God they can be scientics,doctors,physcologist but wisdom from God is powerful its supernatural,divine,anointed its unique can't be compared with wisdom of these world its boastful,arrogant
Unspeakable,.her unwavering love rather for him to live without her in some one's else life than for him to be put to death....what a priceless sacrifice. .we truely serve a just God....
I know that GOD will not give anyone wisdom like HE gave to Salomon ,but I sure would like to have some of the wisdom, and knowledge and to be able to to discern the good and the bad.
Awesome! What great discernment. Wise in every aspect of the situation. We serve a mighty God and Easter coming up, what a beautiful act of kindness and benefits that Jesus brought to mankind. Salvation for everyone if we accept our Lord and Savior. pg
I have to say that when I read what Solomon asked for in the dream, my heart was cheerful and my eyes was tearful. What a great man was he, he could have asked of anything from riches to fame but he asked of wisdom to be able to judge as his father. Nowadays we ask for so many things that materialistic but what he should do is ask God to give us the understanding to be all that he has laid out for us! Amen
From here we see the Heart is neither the spirit nor the soul but the combination of the mind of the soul For understanding is of the mind and the conscience of the spirit discerning between good and evil . Watchman Nee 's writings also affirms this.
God Bless
We also need to soberly consider Lucifer's fall; with his great privileges and standing being ruined due to pride. The rich can be ensnared by the cares of this life; and there are further warnings of drowning in perdition. David himself was most harshly judged by God when he took the census of the fighting men; which was an affront to trusting God rather than horses and chariots and armies of men as God Himself had warned about. The Lord giveth; and He taketh away. A man's life consists not of His possessions. We are asked to pursue heavenly treasures; not those on earth where rust and moth corrupt. It isn't money itself; but the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil. Naked we came into the world; and naked we shall depart.
With greatness; comes great responsibility. Food for thought
23. So king Solomon exceeded all the kings OF THE EARTH, for riches and for wisedome. 24. And ALL THE EARTH sought to Solomon, to heare his wisedom which God had put in his heart. ( 1 Kings 4:23-24).
Christ has fulfilled Deuteronomy 17:14-20. He is God's true choice for king to reign over all his brethren, and rather than turning His heart or the people's heart away from God or exalting Himself above His brother's as Solomon and even more foolishly Solomon's son Rehoboam did ( 1 Kings 12:4-17), He fulfilled God's will and humbled Himself in the upper room and in His death on the cross.
However, the book of Ecclesiates shows that Isaiah 40:8-9 still holds true over all that Solomon was given in this visible life.
Jesus Christ has the heavenly invisible form of power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing ( Revelation 5:12) hidden in the Old Testament scriptures that Solomon was only an earthly shadow of. Christ is the substance. Christ Himself is the Word of God that is eternal and that gives the abiding eternal life that Isaiah spoke of, but that Word is hidden from all those who only seek what is under the sun. Set your mind on Him and by faith abide in Him to bear fruit rather than setting your mind on the things Solomon got that all passed away when his life ended on earth. Being super rich in the things that pass away is nothing compared to the poorest person that has the smallest treasure in heaven that is eternal. The only thing left of Solomon that has lasted is his contribution to the scriptures that reveal and point us to Christ, and that is the only thing that will last in any generations we leave behind at the end of our earthly lives and in eternal life.
Christ is King of kings who's reign for now is only revealed and proclaimed through a foolish nation and people as far as the men of this world and its wisdom are concerned, but we are born of the wisdom of God revealed only to those who are in Christ. Focus your prayers on how to live wisely among the people of God's Kingdom that stand on a sea of glass more than any earthly nation like the one Solomon reigned over or that you see tossed about by the waves of the sea today. What we see is passing away.
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. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded"