Page 236 - Bible History

III. THE ISRAELITES UNDER KING SOLOMON 1. SoLOMON SHows Hrs GREAT WrsnoM
Solomon was not yet twenty years old when he be­ lomon came king. Feeling his inexperience, he went to ys r Gabaa, where the 'rabernacle stood, to o er sacri ce om to God d to ask His blessing upon his reign. One thousand victims were o ered to God by Solomon.
That night God spoke to him and asked him to name the gifts that he desired. Solomon asked only one thing-wisdom to govern his people well. God was pleased because Solomon asked for wisdom rather than for wealth or power1 and He made him the wisest of
all the rulers of his time. Besides wisdom, God gave Solomon wealth and glory and power, and promised him a long life if he would obey the Divine Law. The
One day, two women came to Solomon to have him wisdom settle a dispute that had arisen between them. Both or
of them had infants of about the same age. In the m middle of the night, the baby that belonged to one of
them died. The mother of the dead child took away
the living ild and left the other in its place. The
next morning, when the other woman discovered what had been done, she came to the king and demanded that her child be given back to her.
Both women stood before the king and each claimed that the child was her own. Solomon asked for a sword. He ordered an attendant to cut the child in
209