2 Chronicles 1:14-17; 1 Kings 3:16-28 & 4:20-34

1 Kings 3:16-28 - Solomon's wisdom.  I have heard this story ridiculed many times.  People scoff at a king that would cut a baby in half, pointing out the cruelty & bloodshed included in the Bible.  I simply pray for those people, because they have blinded themselves to the truth.  This event is not about cutting a baby in half.  Instead it shows us how to solve arguments by determining one's motivations.  He-said-she-said disagreements are hard to solve simply because there are no witnesses other than the two people who are attempting to get what they want.  In order to get to the heart of the matter, you must look at the heart of the people.  Solomon solved the disagreement by discovering which woman had the child's best interest at heart. The woman that should care for him was the one that is willing to give him up in order to keep him safe.

So often we look only at the surface, quickly judging by what we see and hear.  But that is only half the equation.  You cannot judge a person's actions until you understand that person.  I work in a public elementary school.  We have many students that have behavioral problems, yet these are not naughty children.  Each one acts out for a different reason.  Solving their behavior issues takes time and an understanding of why they do what they do.  Do you know what this is called?  Relationship.  And that is what the Bible is all about - our relationship with God & our relationship with others.  True wisdom comes from taking the time and effort needed to understand a person's motivations.

The last portion of our reading tells us that Solomon was very wealthy and ruled a large kingdom.  God blessed him in his endeavors because he put his relationship with God first and he valued wisdom.  Once again - it's all about relationships.  When we take the time to build our relationship with God - good things happen.  When we understand that He is the creator of the universe & He has the best plan, then we take the time to learn His plan and carry it out - well, it's going to be successful.  When we build relationships with others, understanding who they are and treating them with respect - well, your social & business dealings will be successful.  There is no magic formula for getting God's blessing.  Focusing on doing everything right won't make us successful.  Spending time getting to know the Lord, His heart, His will - that is where true success lies.