1 Kings 2:13-3:15, 2 Chronicles 1:1-13, 1 Kings 3:16-28, Psalm 72:1-20

Solomon respected and honored his mother ... I am surprised I have never heard a sermon about this. She came to talk to him. He stood up, bowed to her, had a throne (not chair) brought in for her, and seated her at his right hand - the place of honor.  This told me how much he loved, respected and valued his mother.

Then Solomon had some men killed who had betrayed his father and not obeyed his commands. 1 Kings 2 ends with the kingdom being 'firmly established in Solomon's hands.'  Solomon married one of Pharoah's daughters, but still offered sacrifices and burned incense in the 'high places' (not much good happened up there ... ) Then God asked him to request anything and he will be given it - what would you ask God for? Solomon asked for "1 Kings 3:9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong."  God said he would give him a wise and discerning heart.  And honor and riches. God gave Solomon far more than he requested - because he was faithful and didn't ask for something for personal gain.  In 2 Chronicles 1, Solomon asked "10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" I need to do a bit of research into the two verses ... either way God gave him far more than he asked for.

1 Kings 3:16-28 - a very wise ruling indeed.  Two women lived together and each had a son around the same time. One son died and the women were arguing whose son was alive.  Solomon offered to cut the child in half and give each woman half.  The true mother offered to give up her son to the other woman so that he could live.  She offered to sacrifice her relationship with her son so he could live.  How her heart must have shattered at the thought of him being killed.  The other was in such a state of grief that she didn't want anyone to have a living child.  Much less the one living in her house - I imagine her heart was shattered as well. 


Psalm 72:9 ... his enemies will lick the dust.  Wonder if this is where 'eat my dust' came from? Such a visual ...