The irony of Solomon’s desire to be “able to discern between good and evil” is that this same desire led to the first humans being expelled from the Garden of Eden. Why is this knowledge forbidden in Genesis 3, but God approves of it here?
Here’s my guess: in Genesis, knowledge of good and evil was something that separated humanity from the divine. God had it; we didn’t. Reaching for that knowledge was not only an act of disobedience, but also of arrogance – attempting to take God’s place for ourselves.
Solomon’s request, though, comes from a place of humility. The young king certainly has the same insecurities most twenty-year-olds would have in his position, but those insecurities don’t dictate his response to God’s offer. Instead of asking for “long life or riches or for the life of [his] enemies” – things that would help him consolidate and maintain power – he asks for wisdom.
In the moment when Solomon can obtain any desire of his heart, he thinks of his community. He is guided by his connection to the people around him. He does not ask for God’s help to maintain power, but rather to exercise that power faithfully. He asks for something that will benefit not only himself, but his people.
God, it is easy to feel ourselves small and insignificant, to feel overwhelmed and echo Solomon’s cry: “I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in…who can govern this great people?” In those moments, silence our insecurities and let our steps be guided by love for you and our neighbors. Amen.
Rev. Paul Burgess
Pastoral Resident,
(UNC – Chapel Hill)
Words for Waiting 