King Solomon was a man who reigned in Jerusalem over all of Israel for over 40 years. He’s known for his wisdom and has been a Biblical hero in leadership. King David, Solomon’s father, passed on his reign praying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statues, his commandments, his rules and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do.”

His father David was already speaking into Solomon’s life, prophecying that he would be a man of wisdom. David knew his son would become a mighty and effective leader.

Wisdom is what defined Solomon’s character in leadership. The word is defined as, “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.” There were many times when Solomon was granted wisdom by God in his time of leadership. As a King, he helped solve disputes, wrote over 3,000 proverbs and finished building his father’s dream project, a holy temple for God. But, Solomon was not perfect by any means. He turned away from God multiple times and was full of weakness like many of us. What I love and appreciate about his story is that he never gave up on asking for wisdom.

Wisdom is a true gift from God. It’s receiving knowledge and power from the Holy Spirit to make better choices and decisions! True wisdom is listening to what God says about something, before acting. We live in a culture where we don’t think before we say. We rush to speak, not thinking about the consequences of our how our words could hurt. Wisdom is taking a minute with God. Wisdom can also be partnered with discernment.

1 Kings 4:29 says, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.”

God gives beyond measure.

Biblical Principle: God gives wisdom to those who ask for it. Solomon used his wisdom in leadership, and we can use wisdom daily.

Biblical Challenge: How are you using wisdom in your life? Where do you feel like you could ask for more? Practice taking a minute with God, asking for wisdom before speaking.