I Am But A Little Child

Day two hundred sixty-nine

This morning I prayed with gratitude for General Conference!  I love having a big breakfast, sitting in my comfy clothes (jammies) and being edified by the talks during conference.  I love being able to have discussions with my family about what is being said.  I asked the Lord to bless each of my family members that they might find answers to some of the questions they have been having in the messages of the talks.  I know they will!

1 Kings 3

Some things I learned in this chapter:

1 Kings 3:1

This verse gives record of King Solomon’s marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter for the purpose of forming a political “alliance” with Egypt.  While such political marriages were quite common in the ancient world, marriage agreements with foreigners outside the covenant community had been strictly forbidden by God (Deut. 17:17; I Kings 11:2). As the story of Solomon’s reign continues this sin will come to play in a deeply troubling way. 

1 Kings 3:7-9

"...I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in...Give Thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad..." (1 Kings 3:7-9).

We will never be able to choose the right course for our life until we are determined to put first things first. Wealth, honor, fame, the surpassing of our rivals, are not the chief things to be considered, or our judgment will be impaired and our vision distorted. It was because Solomon desired and sought the kingdom and glory of God, that He gave him also the things for which he did not ask (1 Kings 3:13; Matthew 6:33).

Impressed by the greatness of his responsibilities, the young king had gone to Gibeon to worship God. He wished to fulfil his opportunities to their highest measure, and to serve his people, but he realized his inefficiency. Do you feel like this? Do you realize the wonderful opportunities to serve God and others, but think what can you do? Have you ever felt like saying, "Lord I am as a little child, and I know not how to go out or come in?"  

What does the phrase "going out" or "coming in" mean?

This is a Hebrew expression used to describe a leader of the people. It seems to come from the picture of a shepherd who leads his flocks in and out of the sheepfold. Moses uses it to describe what a leader ought to do when he asks God for someone to replace him (which would be Joshua).

"And Moses spake unto the Lord, saying, Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd." (Num 27:15-17)

This phrase was used to describe David a number of times (1 Sam 18:13, 16; 29:6; 2 Sam 5:2)

Solomon is saying that he doesn’t feel like he knows how to lead this nation.  Have you ever felt like you were inadequate to be what the Lord was calling you to be?

Solomon asked for an understanding heart, that he might discern between good and bad. We all need this faculty, that we may discriminate between things that look very much alike, but are different in nature and direction (Hebrews 5:14; Phil 1:9-10). It is not about intellectual power, but about having moral fortitude and discernment.

The Hebrew concept of an understanding, discerning or listening “heart”—which was the location of the mind and will for the Hebrews—communicated the idea that genuine hearing is reflected in the act of obedience. That is, one was thought to have “heard” a command when he had actually obeyed that command. Thus, Solomon is fervently praying for the ability to both clearly hear and receive divine commands and to faithfully obey them to the letter.

This is definitely something we should all be praying for!  How much easier would life be if we could clearly hear the will of the Lord for us and then obey it?  I am willing to give it a try!

1 Kings 3:13
"I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked..."

The understanding heart was Solomon’s supreme request, and it was given him before the morning light had broken over Jerusalem. But God exceeded what Solomon asked or thought. Riches and honor, victory and long life, were thrown in as part of the divine gift. It seems this is an example of, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

One of the most important lessons of life is to discern the value of the objects within our reach. A child would take a handful of glass beads, and leave the heap of diamonds in the rough. It is a terrible mistake of men that they put evil for good and good for evil. We tend to make earth rather than heaven our center and time rather than eternity our measurement.  Things without God cannot satisfy the craving of the soul. To know God, and to be known by Him, is to possess all things.

We need to be more careful of what we are than what we have.  A man’s life shouldn't consist of the abundance of things that he can possess; but in his purity, truth, tenderness, and the properties of his soul. These are the things of infinite value that come from having our priorities straight. When we put first things first, the Lord will bless us with more than we can imagine.  I am willing to give this a try too!!

I had a great time studying this chapter, it took some research (which I love), to better understand the messages in these verses.  I hope you enjoy them too!