Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Kings 10:23-24 (New Living Translation)

23 So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. 24 People from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God had given him.

King Solomon had asked God for wisdom. God gave Solomon wisdom. People from all the nations came to consult with Solomon because they recognized how Solomon was blessed by God.

First, wisdom. This isn’t just knowledge (a₂ + b² = c²), it is how to apply knowledge and how to understand what people mean regardless of what they say. Solomon had wisdom from God. He understood people and things.

Next is God. The nations knew that there was a god who created all. They had their own gods for this and for that, but there was a supreme god above all others. They understood that the supreme god had a special relationship with the Jews and with Solomon.

The Jewish god Jehovah was different. And everyone knew that. And everyone acted in a way that showed they knew that.

We sure are advanced today, huh? We know better, huh? Nope.