This is Spoken Gospel.

We’re dedicated to seeing 
Jesus in all of scripture.

In each episode, we see what’s 
happening in a Biblical text

and how it sheds light
on Jesus and his gospel.

Let’s jump in.

David’s son Solomon
has taken the throne.

Immediately we’re told that 
Solomon loves the Lord.

And the Lord loves Solomon as well.

As Solomon sacrifices
1,000 burnt offerings,  

God comes to him in a dream and 
says that he will answer any request.

Recognizing his own inexperience and
immaturity, Solomon asks for wisdom  

and the ability to know the
difference between good and evil.

Well, God is thrilled with this request.

He not only gives Solomon an unparalleled mind, but
everything he didn’t ask for as well—

He provides riches, and honor, and long life as
long as Solomon remains faithful to God’s law.

Well, as soon as Solomon wakes from his 
dream, God’s wisdom is then put to the test.

A custody battle between two prostitutes 
is brought into Solomon’s court.

Quickly Solomon realizes this case is 
just one woman’s word against another’s.

He can never prove who is telling the
truth based on their testimony alone.

So, he threatens to cut the baby in two, knowing
that the real mother would never allow this to happen.  

And in that moment, it is apparent that God 
has granted Solomon’s request for wisdom.

He’s wisely able to determine good 
from evil and bring justice to bear.

The kingdom seems to explode in response. Israel is
“as numerous as the sand on the seashore”.

And that wording is taken
from God’s promise to Abraham,  

and it’s the first time that
it's used to describe Israel.

That same phrase is also repeated to 
describe Solomon’s breadth of mind.

God gives Solomon wisdom broad 
enough to rule this growing kingdom.

Drawing on imagery from creation, Solomon’s
wisdom is described seven times.

He understands the beasts, birds, and trees.

He has “dominion” over
Israel like Adam did over Eden.

And every family rest in peace under 
their own fig trees and grape vines.

All the nations of the world come
to be blessed by Solomon's wisdom.

And Solomon makes plans to
finally build God’s temple on earth.

Just as in the garden, man and 
God will walk together again!

[music]

When Solomon asks for wisdom to know both good 
and evil, it's also a reference to the garden of Eden.

Adam was told not to eat from the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Since everything was “good” in the
garden there was no reason to know “evil.”

But since Solomon lived in a world where not everything
was good, and the line between good and evil
was often blurred, he needed to know both.

And once he did, Eden seemed to return.

In a world after Eden only a wise King can 
bring us the blessing God promised Abraham,  

and the peace and
provision Adam and Eve knew.

Like the wronged woman, we need a King who can
see good and evil clearly and provide wise justice;

not just when we’ve been wronged,
but when we don’t know what’s right.

That wise King is Jesus.

Like Solomon asked for wisdom 
and was given wealth and power,  

and like the woman asked for justice and was 
given a son, we look for wisdom and we get Jesus.

Then we’re given a place in his eternal Kingdom 
and all the blessing and peace that comes with it.

And while we wait for Jesus’
Kingdom to come fully,

our Bible contains the wisdom we need to 
know and do good works in an evil world.

Jesus wants to rule wisely in our favor. So, like both the
wronged woman and Solomon, humble yourself
before the wisdom of King Jesus

and receive the justice and
peace of a New Creation.

I pray that the Holy Spirit would open
your eyes to see the God who is wise.

And may you see Jesus as God’s wise King who 
establishes a Kingdom of peace on the earth.