The Wisdom of Solomon

Text: 1 Kings 3:1-15

Reflection and Question: God is pleased with Solomon’s request for wisdom to rule God’s people and grants that wish. And yet, Solomon plants the seeds for God’s wrath by violating the rules against worshiping at high places other than Jerusalem and marrying foreign women. Solomon’s experience is repeated over and over in Scripture: both earning the approval of God and, at the same time, bringing on the disapproval of God. Solomon receives the gift of wisdom but he is not wise enough to avoid trespass against God’s will. When have you struggled to do God’s will, despite your best efforts and intentions?

Prayer: Merciful God, we confess that we are just like Solomon as we, too, receive wondrous gifts from you even as we trespass against You. Comfort us by the conviction that Jesus speaks to You on our behalf. Have mercy on us, we pray. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).