“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and bad. . .” It appears that God had already “begun a good work in him” and was continuing to perform it; that Solomon evidenced the fruit of wisdom and discernment in that he made such a commendable request. He realized if he would be king, he must first be a servant; if he would lead, he must first be led.

Skipping to verse 28 of our text we are shown the results of the covenant of the Lord with his servant Solomon: “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.” They “saw” the wisdom of God in him. If they feared (reverenced) the king, it was because they likewise feared the God of the king!

The first recorded test or proof of Solomon’s wisdom (or the wisdom of God in him). “Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.” Many a king might refuse an audience with such women of ill repute; might consider them too degrading to approach the throne, but this man “receiveth sinners”! Though others look upon them scornfully, yet will he listen attentively to their cry: “Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The case presented. Two women dwelling in the same house; both were delivered in childbirth, three days apart. One child died in the night as its mother laid upon it and most likely smothered it to death. At midnight she arose, stealing the live child from its mother’s side and replacing it with her dead infant. In the morning the mother of the living child discovered the switch, and knew that the dead one was not her own.

There were no “eyewitnesses,” “there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.” No one to verify the statements of either party; both agreeing on the details; both claiming to “tell the truth;” each declaring the other to be the liar. Both are known harlots; there are no apparent differences. If they had lived in our day of advanced technology the analyzing of blood types would have been of no avail, for they would not have known the identity of the infant’s fathers. Considering our present judicial system, the mothers might be charged with child neglect or manslaughter and the child removed and placed in an institution or foster home; the truth never being discovered.

“Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.”

Well Solomon, now what are you going to do? “And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.”

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” Heb. 4:12.

“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” Heb. 4:13.

Though Solomon call for “a” sword, two are brought forth; one being invisible, yet being “quick,” and “powerful,” “sharp;” able to “divide” soul and spirit, to “pierce” the conscience; to lay open the “thought and intents of the heart.” But then, this is nothing new to God: He began “dividing” at the onset of creation: He divided the “light” from the “darkness,” the “waters from the waters” (He did that again, at the Red Sea and later at the Jordan).

“Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned [love intensified] upon her son, and she said, O my Lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it.” That invisible Sword had pierced her heart, revealing the depths of her love for her child: she would surrender it unto the deceitful woman; she would withdraw all claim upon him; she would deny self that he might live. Yet may we be reminded of another mother: “And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel. . .(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” Luke 2:34,35. Indeed this scripture had an earlier fulfillment as this woman whose heart was “pierced by the Sword,” revealed herself as the true mother, that the “thoughts” of the other woman might be “revealed.”

“But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.” Well might she have held the sword in her own hand, for her heart revealed the murderous evil that dwelt there. She is not unlike Pharaoh, in his mad pursuit of the children of Israel: “The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.” Exodus 15:9. Thus it was in her heart: if she could not have the child, then no one would. She would be contented, yes, satisfied, finding pleasure in the suffering of the child’s mother. She is as the Corrupt tree whose fruit is Pride and Self will. There is no love nor pity to be found upon its branches; only that of Jealousy, Hatred and Malice.

And so we see, that when the king could not “rightly divide” the Truth from the Lie, he called for the Sword. That Sword which is “the Word of God,” that is “quick,” that is “powerful,” that is “sharp,” effectual,” that “pierces”, penetrates even to the “dividing asunder of soul and spirit.” (Man was created spirit, soul, and body; the spirit being that highest part which was able to “know God, to commune with Him.” The soul being the seat of his emotions wherein the will was exercised. It is not that the spirit of man “died” at the Fall; it fell from that place of fellowship with God, it became “alienated” from His Presence. But there was no desire for restored communion; the soul and spirit being at enmity against God. The New Birth “sets free” the spirit; it experiences Resurrection: the Sword of Truth cuts it free from the soul, to soar Heavenward; to be willfully and joyfully Reconciled with the Lord of Glory! The Sword likewise divides between the “joints and marrow,” that is, that which is outward (joints) and that which is inward (marrow), a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Truth now being severed from the Lie, Solomon may confidently make a fair and right judgment: “Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.” But did you notice her petition: “Give her (the wicked one) the living child, and in no wise slay it! The exact same wording: yet in Righteousness and Grace does he restore unto this woman her child!

May we as Solomon, be found “calling for the Sword” that we too, might have within our being an “understanding heart;” that we may be enabled to “discern between good and bad.” For we, after all, are as Solomon: “I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

A similar picture is to be found in the eighth chapter of the book of John: an adulterous woman is brought to another Son of David. He too, is placed in the position of Judge. The Pharisees were there to accuse her; yet their own hearts were exceedingly sinful: these men were capable of murder. Solomon called for a sword that the child might be severed in two. Jesus called for stones that the woman might be stoned to death: but with one stipulation: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” The Word of God was quick and powerful; it pierced the soul; it discerned the thoughts and intents of the heart. The Truth was revealed about the wicked Pharisees. To the harlot was given her child: to the adulterous woman was given her life: no, more than that; she was given His Life!

We cannot close without showing a further picture: that king Solomon in this scripture lesson, portrays King Jesus. “Listen O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people from far; the Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath He made mention of my name. And He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword” Isa. 49:1,2. “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth. . .” II Thes. 2:8. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True. . .and His name is called The Word Of God. Out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron.” Rev. 19:11, 13b, 15a.

“. .and behold, a greater than Solomon is here” Matt. 12:42, Luke 11:31.

Indeed, Christ shall “sit upon the throne of His father David. He will care for even the lowest in His Kingdom. He will judge “Righteous Judgment” John 7:24.

Notice again Hebrews 4:12,13: ““For THE WORD OF GOD is quick, powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit. . .and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Watch carefully: “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in HIS sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the EYES of HIM with whom we have to do.” Verse 13 unmistakably identifies CHRIST as the Word of God; as the quick and powerful Sword!

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