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Solomon had a political marriage with the daughter of pharaoh. He follows the Lord and has a dream of God offer a gift. He asks for wisdom. Because he asks for wisdom, God gives him both riches and long life as well as long as he walks with the Lord. Two harlots come arguing, one saying that the other has her baby and she turned over hers at night and killed it and the other saying that this is not true and the living child is hers. King Solomon decides to split the baby in half. The mother quickly gives the baby to the other woman who agrees Solomon should split the baby in half. Solomon gives the baby to the mother that wanted the child alive.

I am not quite sure why Solomon asks to have pharaoh's daughter. He had affinity with Pharaoh. If only for political reasons, this couldn't be good for the daughter, seeing that she was most likely a pagan.

http://www.icr.org/books/defenders/1710/

According to Deut 17:17, this is against God's command because wives are not to be acquired. I am so glad I'm not born in this era where women were treated like property to be traded for social status and treaties.

Next, Solomon builds a house for himself and God in Jerusalem. He does sacrifices to God in the high tower of Gibeon (not in Jerusalem), and does 1000 sacrificies on that alter. That is a HUGE number of animals. Wow. So much death. I am very fortunate to know that Jesus took all of my sin punishment. I'm glad that I don't need to make thousands of offerings to God. I suppose these offerings were meant to please God and show devotion. Being a king and having a passion to serve God, I can see why the two combined would lead to over 1000 sacrificies.

Then, God offered a gift to Solomon. Solomon first remembers the legacy that his father left and states the impression that he made on Solomon. I want to leave a legacy like that with people that I care about after I die.

Solomon mentions that he is so young and does not have the ability to judge the people of his realm. He wants to understand where they come from so that he can better judge them. Again, I wonder how old he is. I feel as though I am old, but then I see there are people that are older than I am, and I remember that though I may be old to an elementary student, I'm very young compared to a grandma. Age is so relative. I feel that experience is another way to judge age, and maybe that's what Solomon is saying here. He has no experience and wants to understand and better judge what is the right thing to do.

Because of how Solomon asked for wisdom, God gives him wisdom. Because of what Solomon did ask for, (of what not: riches or long life or for the life of his enemies) God decided to also give him what he didn't ask for. This really goes to show that how you say what you say and what you say really does matter. I feel that giving back-story is good to make any point, but I really need to work on getting the point across in less words.

Elated, Solomon wakes up and goes to Jerusalem and celebrates with his servants and family.Then the two harlots come in.

First, I couldn't imagine killing my baby in my sleep and then taking somebody else's baby and switching him with mine to cover up the fact that I killed my baby. I also couldn't imagine having a baby for 9 months and not being more careful of the baby. I also don't really understand why the two women were in one house together since they were both harlots. I wonder how they will later get money to pay for food since they have had children.

Next, I couldn't imagine replying to an offer to kill a baby that I swore was mine to make the argument fair. That being said, it's not like I've ever talked to a king. I still find it hard to believe that anybody that had a heart would agree, yes, split the baby in half. It's mine, but if she MUST have it, I'd rather it be dead. What in the world!!!!????

From this judgement, Solomon's wisdom and judgement became known throughout the land. What a life. In my version, the Bible says feared. I feel like this word feared is better translated as revered. It's a respect behind fear. For example, the kind of fear that one has when doing coming back late while staying at a friends house. I don't fear being late and waking you up, but it would be disrespectful.

http://www.aeragon.com/itz/06/06-0101-0131-00.html

Apparently, the judgement was done by the priests because there were items that allowed God to directly judge people, and the priests were able to access and use them. So, when Solomon asked for understanding in order to judge, he was asking for the ability to do something that kings didn't do. I had never thought that.

TL biggrin R
The Bible mentions in Deuteronomy 17:17 that one should not acquire wives. Also, Solomon asked for the privilege to judge, which was not done by kings, when he asked for understanding.