king solomon’s wisdom

The biblical account of King Solomon’s reign testifies to his extraordinary wisdom, which was granted to him directly by God. When Solomon became king of Israel, he humbly asked God for “a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong” (1 Kings 3:9). In response, the Lord said to Solomon, “I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be” (1 Kings 3:12).

True to God’s word, Solomon’s wisdom became legendary, not just in Israel but throughout the ancient Near East. The Bible records that “Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt” (1 Kings 4:30). His insightful judgments and practical teachings, many of which are preserved in the biblical book of Proverbs, made him renowned as the wisest king in history.

The pinnacle of Solomon’s wisdom is seen in the famous case of the two women and the disputed baby (1 Kings 3:16-28). When the two women both claimed to be the rightful mother, Solomon’s brilliant solution of threatening to divide the child exposed the true mother. This remarkable display of discernment and justice solidified Solomon’s reputation as a leader of unparalleled wisdom, a gift that came directly from the hand of God.