Theme: THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE
Text: “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.” – 1 Kings 3:9, 10
Comment: The Holy Scripture describes God Almighty as “a God of knowledge” (1 Samuel 2:3) and that He is “perfect in knowledge”. (Job 36:4; 37:16) That is why many who had attained true greatness and whose wisdom had stood the test of time, were those inspired by God and directed by Him.
In ancient times, one of the men who became famous for his wisdom was King Solomon. When asked in a dream what he wanted, he prayed God to give him an understanding heart to judge the people, so that he could discern between good and bad among so large a nation as the nation of Israel. (1 Kings 3:9-14) The wisdom God gave Solomon was evident in his writings, judgments and various works. The Holy Bible says: “And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men…” (1 Kings 4:30, 31) When the Queen of Sheba came calling “to prove him with hard questions”, King Solomon satisfactorily provided answers to all her questions, much to her consternation. (1 Kings 10:1-5) This is proof of the excellence of the knowledge that comes from God. We are therefore enjoined to “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.” – Proverbs 4:5, 6. See also Proverbs 2:6.