Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord… – 1 Kings 3:16-17 (NIV)
This passage of Scripture captures King Solomon’s wisdom from God to administer justice. Indeed, verse 28 mentions, “When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe…”.
Today, as we continue to celebrate men in the Bible, we take a closer look at the ruling of a king who had asked God to grant him wisdom rather than riches. An unnamed prostitute approached the king for justice. One woman whose child had died had switched babies during the night, taking the living child and placing the dead child next to the prostitute.
Knowing the son whom she had mothered and nurtured, she immediately knew the dead baby was not hers, but the other woman kept insisting. King Solomon then sent for a sword to divide the baby in half since both women were claiming the child. However, the prostitute ‘was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” (Verse 26), while the other woman said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”
The king then gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother” (Verse 27). The prostitute preferred to see her child live with another woman rather than have him killed, and King Solomon was wise enough to discern her request. She is a true hero.
May the Lord God Almighty grant you righteous, favourable, and just rulings in every dispute and controversy life presents. Through Christ Jesus, regardless of your situation or current standing, you too can go before the King of Kings to receive help and justice in times of need.
Shalom.
Read: Exodus 31:3; James 1:5
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 14:5-14; Acts 2:22-47; 2 Samuel 7; 2 Samuel 8
