WHERE IS SUCH WISDOM NOW?

By Charles N. Spence Jr.

King Solomon was extremely judicious in the way he deliberated about matters. Prior to reception of God’s gift of wisdom, Solomon demonstrated extreme judiciousness, marvelous insight and profound wisdom in the handling of his affairs. In I Kings 2:13-46, Solomon's early days as king was marked with violence and bloodshed. Such seemed to indicate that He was quickly following in the footsteps of the former King, his father David. Unlike David, however, Solomon did not shed blood himself. A certain man named Benaiah, who was one of the mighty men of valor in David's army, did the slaying.

Solomon's wisdom shines through in the deliberate and calculated deaths of those men who, if they had lived, would have troubled his throne and the people of Israel. Parenthetically, Solomon means "Peace." Peace is what Solomon would eventually bring to the nation of Israel. Adonijah was the son of David and younger brother of Absalom. However, he was older than Solomon (1 Kings 2:22). When David was in a fragile state and nearing his death, Adonijah made haste to ascend to the throne of his father (1 Kings 1:5-9). Once Solomon was rightfully made king, he spared Adonijah's life. Then one day, in what seemed to be a gradual attempt to ease him unto the throne, Adonijah requested to be married to Abishag the Shunamite. Abishag was a virgin who kept David warm and tended to him in his waning days. Solomon knew right away what Adonijah was up to and immediately had him executed (1 Kings 2:1924). Once Adonijah was executed he removed Abiathar as priest and replace him with Zadok (1 Kings 2:26-27). Joab, who once served as commander of David's armies, was a conspirator with Adonijah in seizing the kingdom. Benaiah was instructed to strike down Joab. This Solomon did, not just because Joab had demonstrated his own selfish intentions toward the kingdom, but also that the innocent blood that Joab shed would not come upon the house of David nor on Israel (1 Kings 2:28-34). Shimei was another that troubled David. Not only was he of the house of Saul and seemed bitter about the deaths of those in Saul's charge, but also, if you read the text, you will notice that he seemed to favor Absalom (2 Sam. 16:5-13). Solomon allowed Shimei to live as long as he stayed in Jerusalem. Solomon must have had the insight to know that Shimei was not the kind of character to keep his word for long. Shimei left and his punishment was death (1 Kings 2:39-45).

It was not until all the corrupt men in Israel were purged out that the historian was able to say “Thus, the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon” (1 Kings 2:46). Yes, those who would be a threat to the establishment of the kingdom were removed. Paul said in Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” What are we to learn from these examples of Solomon's careful judiciousness?

First, in relation to the kingdom of Christ, if it is going to be established on a local level, any corrupting influences must be purged from it (1 Cor. 5:1-8). If we allow such wicked and corrupt influences to exist among us, they could possibly threaten the vitality of the local church, cause the Gentiles to blaspheme, never mind pose a threat to our own souls. Second, in relation to our nations government, men and women of corrupt intentions have been allowed to exist. These people have sought to undermine the integrity of this nation by establishing policies that are contrary to God's will. Homosexuality, feminism, abortion, fornication, shiftlessness and laziness are policies that are being promoted by many in Congress and President Clinton and are now starting to be upheld by the courts. A little leaven leavens the whole lump and society is experiencing this leavenous effect.

After God granted Solomon his desire for wisdom, Solomon presided over what would be considered today as a custody battle (1 Kings 3:16-27). They had no DNA testing or birth certificates or foot prints in those days to verify the birth parents. Solomon acted wisely by threatening to cut the child in two. This act determined who the real mother was by observing who would be more concerned about the child's welfare. The courts today have no such concern for children or families. There is no such wisdom to be found today. All women who give birth to children do not necessarily make good mothers. My wife and I had looked into adoption. The bureaucracy alone is enough to discourage any would be parent. We wanted to provide a home for some misplaced and unfortunate child. We wanted to bestow upon the child all the love that we could muster as we do our flesh and blood son. We wanted to provide the kind of opportunity that the child could never receive as a ward of the state and a statistic in an institution. Yet, there are those who, in the name of Christianity and out of the treasuries of congregations, perpetuate this form of child abuse. Instead of awarding a needed child to a married couple who desires to do right by the child, these congregations build and maintain what they believe to be “homes” for these children. That is not love and such is wrong to the core. As individuals we must do what we can to visit (personally inspect with the intentions of relieving the misery) these orphans in their time of affliction (James 1:27). Sending money in support of an institution is neither compassionate nor wise. It does not remove the affliction of not having a home and family. Solomon cared about families and the well-being of children. Simply consider the Proverbs of Solomon and you will see for yourself the wisdom and concern that Solomon had toward home and family. He wrote on discipline, adultery, parenting, being good children, husbands and wives.

But, where is this wisdom today? More and more we are seeing the wisdom of the world, even among some brethren. Paul said, “The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Cor. 3:19). “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). James asks the question, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” (James 3:13). How will you respond to the question?