1 Kings 3:1628
The Heart That Loves
Two harlots came to Solomon the king, each claiming to be the mother of the living child. Solomon, with the wisdom given to him of God, discerns that whoever loves the child most is the true mother. “God is love,” and “love is of God” (1 John 4:8,16). Love is the standard, both in the Old and New Testaments (Matt. 22:37,40; 1 John 2:710). “Then spake the woman . . . for her bowels yearned upon her son” (vs. 26). Her heart was filled with love; it was not selfishness for her son. “And she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it.” The love of the true mother’s heart was made manifest by her willingness to give up her own claims in order to save the child. She interceded for the child, not for her rights to have the child. This is true love. “Teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children” (Titus 2:4).
The Sword of Judgment
The wisdom of Solomon became renowned by his use of the sword to try the two harlots that claimed the living child. Both women had been negligent in the proper care of their child. The sword of judgment was applied to test their hearts. It revealed both the good and the bad of the two hearts. It revealed who really loved the child and who had a selfish desire. The selfish harlot had imputed her guilt on the true mother rather than submit to the loss of her own child because of her failure. This same lack of self-judgment became apparent when Solomon applied the sword of judgment to the living child. She would rather see the child die than judge the cause of the problem.
When the true motive of each heart was apparent, Solomon stopped the execution order. The purpose of the sword was not to destroy, but to reveal the hearts. “And mercy rejoiceth against judgment” (James 2:13). Solomon applied the right mixture of love and judgment. These two things are the basis of the Lord’s hand of discipline upon us. “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth” (Heb. 12:6).
The right combination of these two things is what is needed for us as Christian parents. Though we do not have a Solomon present with us, we have the wisdom of the Word of God to guide and help in our families. May we then apply these two things to ourselves and our families in dependence and obedience to the Lord. “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).
D. C. Buchanan