"Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you" (1 Kings 3:11-12).
David is dying and he brings Solomon before him and tells him of the promise of God; "if your sons are careful of their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel" (1 Kings 2:4). On his death bed David gives Solomon political advice telling him he needs to be careful of his way, to be wise and discerning, he has friends and enemies, v.5-8. The need for discernment as king of Israel is great as when David dies and Solomon sits on the throne for the first time this is made obvious, a peculiar request is made by Bathsheba, wife of David and Queen. The request seems simple, that Solomon would give Abishag to his brother Adonijaha. Abishag the virgin had been given to David as an attendant by his advisers who also expected him to be intimate with her (1 Kings 1:1-4). This marriage would have been of importance and Adonijah had made the request to Bathsheba on the grounds that he thought he should be king. Solomon is able to discern and avoid this political move, he cleans house and makes a powerful alliance with Egypt,
Solomon realized his need for Godly discernment. Proverbs 2 explains the value of wisdom and discernment, "making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God". David on his death bed had given instruction, because of this Solomon was able to discern, diverting a crisis. Solomon learned very early as king he needed something besides his human reasoning, so when God said he would give him anything he asked for, "discernment to understand justice" he asked, "so give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?" (1 Kings 3:5,9). God responds by giving him a wise and discerning heart like no other, v.12.
We do not have to look far to understand today that we need something more than human reasoning. Look at the headline; "Russia invades Ukraine". We quickly think that we must defend Crimea from the Soviet Union. But if we discern, look at the facts, we see more. We see that Crimea became an autonomous republic of Ukraine by treaty in 1954 and that Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union and that "the economic commonalities, territorial closeness, and communication and cultural links" between Crimea, Russia, and Ukraine were the same.[1] After the Soviet Union was dismantled and Ukraine declared its independence in 1994 along went Crimea. We also see that Ukraine had a revolution which ousted its pro-Russian leaders and installed a new interim President, last week. This prompted the P.M. of Crimea to take control of Crimea and ask for assistance from Russia. Russia has a strategic interest in Crimea, having an Air Force base there and the Black Sea fleet nearby. It would look like Russia has a legitimate right to assist and be in Crimea but no right to be in any other part of Ukraine.
Solomon realized his need for Godly discernment. Proverbs 2 explains the value of wisdom and discernment, "making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God". David on his death bed had given instruction, because of this Solomon was able to discern, diverting a crisis. Solomon learned very early as king he needed something besides his human reasoning, so when God said he would give him anything he asked for, "discernment to understand justice" he asked, "so give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?" (1 Kings 3:5,9). God responds by giving him a wise and discerning heart like no other, v.12.
We do not have to look far to understand today that we need something more than human reasoning. Look at the headline; "Russia invades Ukraine". We quickly think that we must defend Crimea from the Soviet Union. But if we discern, look at the facts, we see more. We see that Crimea became an autonomous republic of Ukraine by treaty in 1954 and that Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union and that "the economic commonalities, territorial closeness, and communication and cultural links" between Crimea, Russia, and Ukraine were the same.[1] After the Soviet Union was dismantled and Ukraine declared its independence in 1994 along went Crimea. We also see that Ukraine had a revolution which ousted its pro-Russian leaders and installed a new interim President, last week. This prompted the P.M. of Crimea to take control of Crimea and ask for assistance from Russia. Russia has a strategic interest in Crimea, having an Air Force base there and the Black Sea fleet nearby. It would look like Russia has a legitimate right to assist and be in Crimea but no right to be in any other part of Ukraine.
Discernment is a high calling of God, it is for the spiritual mature, "for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews 5:14).