Solomon's Wisdom

One night, Solomon, the new king of the people of Israel, had a dream. God appeared to him, saying:
“What would you like to receive from me, Solomon? »
Solomon immediately knew what he wanted most.
“Please, O God, give me wisdom,” he prayed.
"I'm young, inexperienced. I don't know how to govern all the people of Israel without your help. »

Solomon's response pleased God.
“You could have asked for wealth or long life or death from your enemies,” God told him. “Instead, you asked for wisdom. I will give you wisdom to rule and judge fairly. You will be the wisest man who has ever lived. I will also give you what you did not ask for. You will be rich and respected by all. And if you obey me and observe my laws, you will have a long life. »

Solomon woke up and realized he had dreamed. But he also knew that God had really spoken to him. He was comforted to know that God would help him to be a good king.

One day, two women were ushered into the throne room. As they entered, one tried to snatch a bundle from the other's arms, but the bundle began to cry and scream! He was a baby. A courtier picked up the baby and cradled it while the two women unpacked their story in front of the king.

“We live together,” one began, “and we both had a baby recently. Mine was born two days before his.

“One night her child died. While I slept, she took mine and replaced it with the dead child. I woke up and found the child next to me dead. But I would recognize my child among a thousand, I know she stole my baby. »

The other woman interrupted him angrily.

“The dead child was yours. Stop wanting to take my baby,” she retorted. “Mine is alive. Yours is dead! »

The king let them shout and discuss for a while, then he asked:

"You both claim this baby belongs to you?" »

"Yes," they shouted together.

"Bring a sword!" ordered the king.

They brought a sword to Solomon and said to a courtier:

“As the two mothers claim the child, cut it in two, and give one half to each. »

Immediately one of the women exclaimed:

“Don't kill him! I still prefer that she has the child! »

But the other woman says:

" Go ahead. Do what the king said. It's fair. »

" Stopped ! thundered Solomon. “Don't hurt the child. I just wanted to find out the real mother. The child belongs to the one who wanted to be spared. Give it to him. »
Everyone in Jerusalem learned of the judgment of the two mothers and the baby. We admired the wisdom and skill of the king who had devised such a stratagem to discover the truth.