King of Kings
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 3:9 NASB
Who is able – Answer the question. Solomon asked it. You answer it. Who is able to judge? The answer, of course, is the one who can “discern” between good and evil. That one is able to judge the people. What we have discovered is that Solomon’s role as the second Adam is a demonstration that no man can fulfill this task. The story of Solomon tells us that knowing good from evil is too much for human beings to handle on their own. Even with a divine gift, it overwhelms and destroys.
Does that mean we should not ask for discernment? Should we just be good little robots doing whatever the Master asks without raising an eyebrow? Job didn’t think so. He followed, he worshipped, he submitted—and he questioned. That is the human way—to trust in the Lord and to question the process.
Notice the use of bin (discern) in Hebrew thought:
The verb refers to knowledge which is superior to the mere gathering of data. It is necessary to know how to use knowledge one possesses (Pirke Abot 3:12). The verb yādaʿ (q.v.) can also mean “understanding” in the sense of ability (e.g. Esau as a skilful hunter). It can also mean “to be perceptive,” (Ps 73:22). However, yādaʿ generally describes the process whereby one gains knowledge through experience with objects and circumstances. bîn is a power of judgment and perceptive insight and is demonstrated in the use of knowledge.[1]
Yeshua had something to say about this. “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone” (Luke 18:19). Did you think Yeshua’s comment was about morality? No, sir. It was about the One who knows what is good. The Messiah is able to fulfill the role of the King of kings, not because he is essentially good but because he acknowledges that he only acts as the One who is good directs him. He is King because he is first of all a servant. Solomon turns out to be just the opposite—the Hebrew Pharaoh.
The story is more than political commentary. Who is able to judge in your life? Who decides between good and evil for you? If you thought that a bit of Solomon resides in your choices to find your own way, be afraid. The story of the new Pharaoh might just become your story and you will find yourself making sacrifices on the high places and hoping for dreams of power and glory.
Topical Index: Solomon, 1 Kings 3:9, bin, discern, judge
[1] Goldberg, L. (1999). 239 בִּין. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (103). Chicago: Moody Press.
So the story of Solomon is a story of caution? That is so cool.
To discern is to know my proper place in the cosmos. That is very different than knowing how to order others around and get what I want. It’s about knowing where others are coming from so that I can see what they need from me and what I need from them. To humble myself under the mighty hand of God is to admit reality and where I fit into it, not superimpose myself onto it. To want ‘my way’ is to position myself in the middle or on the top of reality. To want His way is to fit into it according to the Master Plan. There is NO WAY I can know where that place is at any given point in time or how to do it!
I spent my decades wandering in the wilderness of ‘my way’, seeing for myself that I had not one single clue as to how to accomplish righteousness, even though I THOUGHT I knew what it was. Why, I had not even made it to Christian’s Wicker Gate! That Slough of Despond? I found it smack in the middle of me. I needed a Guide to my own life! I could not even figure out to love myself, much less anyone else. I had to experience it to believe it. It was a true shocker.
Seems to me I have spent a lot of my life thinking I have walked in discernment but really I once again I see I’m deceiving myself because I continually walk in my version of good for me.
Wow will I ever really see it for what it is?
At first thought remembering Jethro advising Moses to select the elders because he could not carry the burden alone, then Isaiah 40. 13 who can fathom the spirit of the Lord or instruct the Lord has his counselor? If Yeshua even declared that only God was good denying himself that position . Can we do any differently or even better than he? One great quoted scripture about our future in God’s perspective and our humbling. Jeremiah 29:11. I know the plans I have for you says the Lord plans to prosper you give you hope and a future. With just this statement of fact in mind why would we stray yes we do, oh what foolish me a foolish man I am.
was Jethro a believer? i forget.
Re: Who is able to judge your life
Everyone, evidently. Especially those who believe they have experienced similar experiences. THEY are the EXPERTS! And, based on conversations (or not) they will expertly cut and dice who i am, why i am where i am and how i can extricate yourself.
because. holiness on their part equips them.
or not.
Good conversation then there’s the point of coming together and reasoning not to compromise but to look at all the angles we can think of.