Ever wonder how movie, book and TV characters always say the right words at the right time?  It’s because the screenwriters and authors have control of the situation.  Similarly, God has control of all real life situations where wise word and actions are needed.

The story of Solomon in 1 Kings 3.16-28 about two moms, one baby, and a sword is renowned throughout the world. The mothers both claimed the child was theirs.  Solomon threatened to use the sword to cut the child in two and give half to each.  The real mom revealed herself by giving the child away rather than having him killed.

Solomon had been given a great gift of wisdom by God, to be able to govern the people (1 Kings 3.9-12).  This adjudication is excellent for showing the depth of the gift.  The two women were described as prostitutes, a category of women that are not to be trusted according to Proverbs 1-9.  The case had reached the highest court of the land because there were no other witnesses.  Solomon was the final arbiter and his unorthodox decision in this difficult circumstance was so astute that “all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice” (1 Kings 3.28).

Even more than facts and knowledge, Solomon had the wisdom of God.  The parental dispute story sounds like the events in Luke 20 when Jesus confounds the Pharisees, Sadducees, and elders who are trying to discredit him.  He links his authority to John the Baptist, putting the scribes and elders in a tough spot (verses 1-8).  He famously stops tax questions with “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” (19-26).  And he blasts the Sadducees’ lack of faith and lack of understanding of the scriptures when they try to trap him in a long hypothetical story about divorce (27-39).

Amazingly, that same wisdom is available to us for the asking. “If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” James 1.5-8. The faith required is trust in God that his plans are good and that my wisest choice is to follow Him wherever He leads.