MAKING DECISIONS AS A CHRISTIAN
By the end of the lesson the Student should be able to
1. Identify source of Solomon`s wisdom.
2. Explain how Solomon used his wisdom.
SOLOMON`S WISDOM (1king3:3-28,4:21-34,5:1-12,8:1-53)
Continuation
King Solomon`s gift of wisdom was demonstrated when two harlot struggling for a baby came to him for judgment. These two women lived together in a house and both gave birth each to a baby, one died and the both of them lay claims on the living baby should be cut into two parts and each parts should be given to the women involved. The actual mother of the baby wept and appealed to the king not to divide the baby but that instead, he should give it to her rival while the other woman said. `It shall be neither mine, nor yours, divide it,` from their reactions. Solomon was able to know the actual mother of the baby. This type of display of wisdom was rare in those days and this made Solomon famous.
Solomon`s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the surrounding nations, and they came to behold his wisdom. He spoke three thousand proverbs and composed one thousand and five songs.
In terms of wealth Solomon was very rich. The Bible records that he reigned over all the kingdoms. From the river to the land of the philistines as far as the border of Egypt, they brought tribute to Solomon and served him . Solomon made arrangement with Hiram of Tyre to supply him with cedar and cypress timbers with which to build the temple of the Lord as well as his personal house. In return he gave Hiram twenty measures of pressed oil as food for his household yearly. When Solomon eventually completed the temple, the ark of covenant was brought into the temple and he prayed and dedicated the temple to the Lord.
