December 12, 2012 – 1 Kings 1:28 – 1:53

We already see the wisdom of Solomon with how he handled the one who was claiming to be king.  Instead of going after him and having a war, he showed him mercy. You wonder how much time he spent with his father.  You didn’t really hear anything about him, but if he was with his father during any substantial period, he probably saw his father show mercy towards enemies, or at least order mercy be shown even when his orders weren’t followed.  That attitude seems to have rubbed off on his child.  We are so removed from violent changes in leadership in this country that we don’t fully understand that showing mercy on the person you took over against is unusual.  Our country is so unique in that we have several living former presidents.  Many countries only change leaders through death and violence.  The fact that we just changed many seats in government and had a president elected by slightly over half the population and the only injuries were people’s pride is astonishing when you look at how this is handled in other places and throughout history.