Solomon | Women's Bible Study | Stephanie Schwartz

Main message: Godly wisdom begins with asking for a "hearing heart" that listens to and obeys Scripture, but we must guard against a divided heart as Solomon did; our ultimate hope is the new heart given in Christ that enables obedience.

Key points:

• Solomon’s request in 1 Kings 3 was for an understanding/hearing heart—Hebrew lev (heart) and shama (to hear) —meaning a heart that listens and responds, not merely recognizes truth.
• Biblical hearing requires humility and readiness to be corrected and changed, not using Scripture to justify preformed decisions.
• Beware a divided heart: Deuteronomy 17 warns kings against amassing wives, wealth, and warhorses; Solomon’s compromises (marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter, many wives, wealth, horses) led to failure despite his God-given wisdom.
• Solomon’s wisdom showed God’s blessing when he sought a hearing heart (e.g., the baby judgment), but his later life warns that familiarity with truth does not equal submission.
• Under the new covenant God gives a new heart (Ezekiel 36; 2 Cor 5:17); Jesus is greater than Solomon and empowers obedience—so confess, submit, and keep returning to God’s Word.

Scriptures mentioned: 1 Kings 3:9-14, 1 Kings 3:16-28, 1 Kings 4:29-34, 1 Kings 3:1, 1 Kings 10:14-27, 1 Kings 11:1-10, Deuteronomy 6:4, Deuteronomy 17:14-20, Ezekiel 36:25-27, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 12:42, Proverbs 19:27, Ecclesiastes 12:13, James 3:2, 1 Chronicles 28:6, Proverbs 1:1, Proverbs 10:1, Proverbs 25:1.