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The defining legend of Solomon was his great wisdom, gifted to him by God. The Bible says that he was the wisest of kings. No doubt some people would give a great deal to Solomon in return for his wisdom. However (if it were possible) that might not be a wise thing to do.
The story of the two mothers is the only biblical account that purports to show Solomon's wisdom. Soon after God granted Solomon wisdom, two women asked for judgement over the ownership of a small baby. In this episode, Solomon gave his most famous judgement. The reader is expected to agree with Solomon when he knew that only one woman would be willing to give up her claim to the child rather than have it killed, and that woman could only have been the birth mother. By today's standards, I don't think this story stands out as an example of extraordinary wisdom.
According to the Bible, Solomon showed much more evidence of a lack of wisdom, including in the way he overtaxed the people of Israel to support his sumptuous lifestyle, resulting in the Israelites ceding from his kingdom when Solomon's son and successor, Rehoboam, refused to reduce the tax burden.
The Jewish people needed a glorious past, with both great and wise rulers, and Solomon became part of that past. So, although not actually a wise ruler on the biblical evidence, he was a wise ruler in tradition. To support this tradition, the Books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and even some Psalms were eventually attributed to King Solomon, although scholars can readily prove that they were actually compiled after the Babylonian Exile.
What else can I help you with?
What gift did Solomon choose?
One day after Solomon became king, he fell asleep and God appeared in a dream to him. He said that He would give Solomon any gift he wanted, and Solomon chose wisdom to reign over his people. Go was so impressed that he also gave Solomon great wealth.
What question did God ask Solomon?
God answered Solomon's request for wisdom and said that he would give him riches and honour also, and then told him to walk in God's ways and keep his statutes and commandments, (1 Kings 3.12 to 14)
Why did Solomon ask for the gift of wisdom?
To be able to rule wisely over God's people, Israel.2 Chronicles 1:7-12 tells us that one night God appeared to Solomon and said to him: "Ask! What shall I give you?" At that Solomon said to God: "... Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" And God said because" .... you ask for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may judge my people over whom I have made you king, the wisdom and the knowledge are being given you..."(NIV)
Which examples or stories about Solomon's wisdom impressed you the most?
The book of Proverbs and the book of The Song of Solomon, books that were written by Solomon there are hundreds of examples of his wisdom that have helped and comforted people for thousands of years. Secondly the statement that both women would have given up the baby rather than have it killed seems unusual because a very greedy woman was claiming a baby that was not hers. Only love superseded greed and put the baby ahead of personal needs. Only a loving mother would give up the baby to save it. Hence Solomon's wisdom remains intact.
Who showed wisdom in the bible?
King Solomon is often cited as a figure who showed great wisdom in the Bible. Famously, he resolved a dispute between two women claiming to be the mother of the same baby by suggesting cutting the baby in half, knowing the real mother would rather give up her child than see it harmed.
How did god give Solomon power?
God made a covenant with King David and based on his promise ask Solomon for anything he desires. God does not go back on his word so fulfill it by granting Solomon wisdom for that is what he requested. It was through God's wisdom that made Solomon powerful.
Did god make a covenant with Solomon?
According to the Bible, God granted Solomon great wisdom. However, there is nothing in the Bible to demonstrate that Solomon really did possess wisdom, and he actually ruled so unwisely that after his death the Bible says the northern Hebrews broke away from Israel and formed the kingdom of Israel, leaving Solomon's son to rule the comparatively small nation of Judah.
What did king Solomon ask for God to give him?
According to the Book of Kings, Solomon wished for wisdom, with an understanding heart, so that he could rule his people well. Whether he achieved this wisdom is a moot point, since the Bible goes on to say that he governed unwisely.
Why does the baby's true mother agree to give up her child at one point in the story in the wisdom of Solomon?
She would rather lose her child than see him harmed.
What are some examples showing that Solomon understood women?
There is nothing in the story of King Solomon in 1 Kings that suggests that he had a good understanding of women. Soon after Yahweh granted Solomon wisdom, two women asked for judgement over the ownership of a small baby. In this episode, Solomon gave his most famous judgement, the only documented example of his great wisdom. Solomon, with his profound wisdom, just knew that only one woman would be willing to give up her claim to the child rather than have it killed. Anyone who really understands women would think this a rather dubious understanding. Perhaps the successful seduction of the Queen of Sheba is the only evidence the book provides of his understanding of women, but then again he would not be the first man to have seduced a beautiful woman. It would be unfair to quote from other books such as the Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes or the Wisdom of Solomon, since scholars almost universally regard these as written long after his death.
In which area was Solomon very wise?
The defining legend of Solomon was his great wisdom, gifted to him by God. If there ever was a King Solomon, the Bible says that he was the wisest of kings. However, finding specific biblical examples of his wisdom proves difficult. Solomon was certainly not wise when he first succeeded David. At 1Kings 1:52, he said that he would not harm Adonijah as long as he showed himself a worthy man. However, in chapter 2, he ordered the death of Adonijah merely because he sought Solomon's approval to marry a woman. He punished the priest Abiathar, who had previously helped Adonijah, and Joab who did not, although he later befriended him. Then he ordered Shimei, who had not been allied with Adonijah, never to leave Jerusalem. Afterwards, Shimei briefly left Jerusalem to recapture and bring back his slaves, so Solomon had him killed. Solomon has demonstrated his lack of good judgement, as a foil for the qualities he would soon display. Shortly after this, Solomon, in a dream, asked God for wisdom. Soon after God granted Solomon wisdom, two women asked for judgement over the ownership of a small baby. In this episode, Solomon gave his most famous judgement, the only biblical example of his great wisdom. Solomon, with his profound wisdom, just knew that only one woman would be willing to give up her claim to the child rather than have it killed. According to the Bible, Solomon demonstrated no political wisdom, nor even sufficient common sense to govern wisely in the interests of his own son's succession to the throne of the United Monarchy. If the story of the small baby is the only example the Bible can give us for Solomon's legendary wisdom, then that will have to do. Whether the insight this passage describes was really wise can be a matter for judgement.
For what was King Solomon celebrated?
The defining legend of Solomon was his great wisdom, gifted to him by God. If there ever was a King Solomon, the Bible says that he was the wisest of kings. Solomon was certainly not wise when he first succeeded David. At 1Kings 1:52, he said that he would not harm Adonijah as long as he showed himself a worthy man. However, in chapter 2, he ordered the death of Adonijah merely because he sought Solomon's approval to marry a woman. He punished the priest Abiathar, who had previously helped Adonijah, and Joab who did not, although he later befriended him. Then he ordered Shimei, who had not been allied with Adonijah, never to leave Jerusalem. Afterwards, Shimei briefly left Jerusalem to recapture and bring back his slaves, so Solomon had him killed. Solomon has demonstrated his lack of good judgement, as a foil for the qualities he would soon display. Shortly after this, Solomon, in a dream, asked God for wisdom. Soon after God granted Solomon wisdom, two women asked for judgement over the ownership of a small baby. In this episode, Solomon gave his most celebrated judgement, the only biblical example of his great wisdom. Solomon, with his profound wisdom, just knew that only one woman would be willing to give up her claim to the child rather than have it killed. Others would say that Solomon should have realised that almost every woman, through her maternal instincts, would rather give up a claim, spurious or otherwise, rather than see the child suffer. If the biblical example does indeed display real wisdom, then perhaps Solomon could be thought of as being celebrated for his understanding of the nature of women.
