The Wisdom of Solomon-1 Kings 3:3-14

Intro

One of my favorite TV shows growing up was a show called “The Fairly Odd Parents.” It centers around around a 10 year old boy named Timmy Turner and his two goldfish, Wanda and Cosmo, who were actually his fairy god-parents. They were able to grant any wish that he could think of as long as it didn’t violate and rule in this big book called “Da Rules.” He would wish for things like superpowers, talking to animals, become famous, even some reality altering things such as everyone to look the same, a world of no rules, and even a wish that nobody aged. Imagine having the ability to wish for whatever you want, what would you wish for? Money, success, healing? For King Solomon, when asked for whatever he wanted, he asked for wisdom. He had the ability to ask for anything: money, power, women, etc. Instead he chose wisdom, and this pleased God. If we really look at Solomon, he is really a testament that wisdom does not come from books, degrees, or life experience alone, it’s found in God.

We live in a world of information overload. This is evident just from the invention of the printing press. By the time the press was invented in 1440, it was estimated that there were only 30,000 books in all of Europe. By 1500, there were between 10-12 million. By 1600, there were 150 million. Fast forward to today and I have access to every single book, news paper, journal, blog, video, movie, tv show that has ever existed right in my pocket. Yet despite the vast majority of people having this, they choose their own wisdom over the wisdom of God. Proverbs 14:12 “12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Who do we turn to when we need wisdom.