Pulling a Solomon

A dispute arose between two prostitutes over a child. Each claimed the child was hers and it was one woman’s word against the other. The case traveled all the way up to Solomon, the wise king.

In his wisdom, Solomon said “Bring me a sword. We will divide the child and give each one half.”

Of course, the true mother begged him not to do it and asked the king to give the child to the other woman. Anything but death. And so Solomon knew who the true mother was. The realm marveled at his wisdom and how it allowed him to do justice.

Fathers can learn from this example, even if we don’t have the wisdom of Solomon.

Are your kids fighting over a toy? If they don’t figure it out on their own, the toy goes in the trash. Or, it gets broken in half and then they can each play with it.

Their relationship is more important than any toy.

You still have to pay attention and listen to both sides. You can’t be flippant. One child can be so in the grip of envy that they have figured out how to sabotage situations and they don’t care about the object in question.

If that’s the case, you have bigger problems on your hands. And you’ll need even more wisdom.

The Requirement for Exercising Wisdom

But this is the most important thing we can learn from Solomon: his humility. Without that, we will never be able to do justice.

When God asked Solomon what he desired, Solomon answered:

You have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do no know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered…

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?

1 Kings 3:7-9

Fathers have been given a heavy responsibility, and so this is the most important way to “pull a Solomon.”

To ask for wisdom to govern these people that God has given you.

Because you’re going to need it.

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