There is a well-known story about Solomon’s wisdom that involves two women. While asleep, one woman accidentally rolled over on her child, resulting in his death. A dispute arose between the women, each claiming that the living child was hers and the dead child belonged to the other.
Solomon resolved the conflict by calling for a sword and declaring he would divide the living child in two, so that each woman could have half. This seemingly preposterous choice revealed the nature of the true mother. She immediately cried out that she would rather give up her child to the dishonest woman than see him killed, proving her genuine maternal love.
In today’s YouTube video, Bruce Kirby observed that Solomon took a genuine interest in the plight of two prostitutes. Bruce found it remarkable that the king devoted his attention to two women whom society considered outcasts—people at the margins of humanity—rather than dismissing their case in favor of more pressing matters like foreign trade or affairs of state.
God’s Love – Our Responsibility
While the major theme of this account from Solomon’s life is his wisdom, I think we should not neglect his compassion. He was willing to take time from the affairs of state to settle a troubling dispute between two prostitutes.
Solomon’s compassion is a reflection of God’s love for all humanity, including people on the margins of society.
The king’s wisdom is reflected in the Proverbs, where he highlights genuine care for the poor.
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and will be repaid in full. (Proverbs 19:17).
Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9).
Isaiah confronted the Israelites about the proper way to fast and pray when they were seeking answers from God. Speaking on behalf of God, he delivered this message about fasting:
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?” (Isaiah 58:6-7).
We cannot leave Jesus out of this discussion. He told a parable about the end-time judgment in which he said:
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me…
Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:35-40).
Care for Immigrants
God’s word acts like a plumb line in relation to a wall.
Then the Lord said,
“See, I am setting a plumb line
in the midst of my people Israel. (Amos 7:8)
The wall must conform to the plumb line, not vice versa.
Imagine the issue of how to treat migrants as the wall and God’s word as the plumb line. Below is a small sample of what the Bible says about immigrants seeking shelter in other nations.
“When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34).
“[The LORD] executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2).
Bruce made an excellent point when he said that Solomon showed his character when he deemed two prostitutes worth his time. Leaders reveal the quality of their character by the way they treat the vulnerable and marginalized in society.
Followers of Jesus should represent the biblical view, not that of the prevailing culture.
Care for Outcasts and the Marginalized
The two prostitutes represent outcasts and marginalized persons in every culture. Jesus and the prophets reflect God’s care for people who are seen as expendable.
“He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid.
But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.'” (Luke 14:12-14).
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.” (Zechariah 7:9-10).
Pope Leo’s Message
Pope Leo rightly reflects the teaching of the Bible concerning people like the two prostitutes before Solomon.
He wrote, “Contact with those who are lowly and powerless is a fundamental way of encountering the Lord of history. In the poor, he continues to speak to us.”
Further on in his excellent document, he wrote: “I am convinced that the preferential choice for the poor is a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society, if we can only set ourselves free of our self-centeredness and open our ears to their cry.”
Here is a link to all of Pope Leo’s message.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 