"And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other."
Divide the living child in two… Oh my! This sounds cruel, inhumane, and just not right. What could Solomon have meant? I believe Solomon was asking the women to make a decision. Just how much of the living child do you love? Let’s look at 1st Kings, chapter 3.
Two women, living in the same house, having the same occupation, and each giving birth to a child, can look identical. Yet one woman’s child lived, and, sadly, the other woman’s child died. We now see them presenting to the king, each claiming the living son as their own. King Solomon had to make a choice. To which woman do I give the living child? Solomon desired to judge rightly because he loved the Lord. He “was of the generation of them that seek the Lord.” Solomon knew that the Word of God says, “None is good but God.” He also knew it says, “The heart of man is bad—even evil.” In response to his love for God, Solomon turned to God, and sincerely asked God for His wisdom and discernment. God blessed Solomon and granted him his heart’s desire. He was now able to discern God’s judgment. From DeathTo Life!
Solomon knew the woman devoted to loving her son would never agree to divide her child. This woman, deeply and passionately cherished her son, yet willingly, gave him up in order to prevent his death. She knew it meant emotional pain for herself, yet had confidence the King would let her son live. Her love for her son was greater than her love for herself. She was drawn to life. Reveal to me, Jesus, where my love for you isn't cherished. From Death To Life!
The other woman was willing to divide the child, and receive only part of him. Do I divide Christ, and exclude Him from part of my life? Do I receive all that Christ has to give? This woman, whose child died, who lost a part of her, even from deep inside her womb, had to be hurting deeply inside. It grieves the Lord greatly to see us hurt. Jesus, the Son of God—even God Himself, was sent to the Cross and died for us, resurrected from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding “to heal our broken hearts, to comfort and feed us with His Word, and to work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Instead of choosing to receive a healing from Jesus, she chose to reject the love of God. Her choice led to stealing from another, and then claiming what was not hers to take. Aren’t we all guilty of this? Did fear drive her? Was it the need to control? Was it a passion to feel justified? Sadly, she missed the deliverance and life Jesus wanted to give her. O how He wants to deliver us From DeathTo Life
We have a choice. “He that has the Son has life; & he that has not the Son of God has not life.” God calls for unity under One King, Jesus Christ the Lord. He will define where we exclude Jesus. Let us come and ask Him with a heart passionate for His love.
~ Cheryl Helgert
