Iain Provan argues that Solomon's request for wisdom in 1 Kings 3 is actually a form of repentance. Solomon already has wisdom in 1 Kings 2. As he is dying David gives instructions to Solomon to kill Joab 'according to [his] wisdom' (v.6) and Shamei because he is 'a wise man' (v.9).
These instructions seem pretty brutal. Joab has been David's loyal (if violent) right hand man for decades. David swore never to kill Shamei, but now suggests Solomon does so. If both these men deserved to die a long time ago, it is questionable why David has waited till now to execute justice. Doubtless David found Joab very useful while he was alive, but recognises that he and Shamei may turn out to be threats to Solomon's power in the future. Justice has been made secondary to realpolitik.
After obeying his father's instructions and so establishing the kingdom (2:46), we come to the famous passage where Solomon asks for wisdom. But he doesn't just ask for wisdom he asks to be able to 'discern between good and evil' (3:9). This 'pleased the Lord' because he did not ask for 'long life', 'riches' or 'the life of your enemies' (3:11). Because the Lord is pleased he not only gives Solomon the wisdom he requests but gives what he has not asked for: riches and long life. But he doesn't promise him the other thing he didn't ask for: the life of his enemies.
0 comments:
Post a Comment