1 Kings 3:28
When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.
New Living Translation
When all Israel heard the king’s decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice.
Amplified Bible
When all [the people of] Israel heard about the judgment which the king had made, they [were in awe and reverently] feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was within him to administer justice.
Contemporary English Version
Everyone in Israel was amazed when they heard how Solomon had made his decision. They realized that God had given him wisdom to judge fairly.
What do your verdicts say about you? If you were to be judged by your verdicts, what will be said about you? If your next most desired job or business depended on an assessment of your past verdicts would you get it? You are judged by your verdicts!
A verdict is a decision one makes. A verdict is a result of assessing all competing options and making a conclusion on what is the best. A verdict, therefore, is a judgment we make. Court cases end up with a verdict on who is guilty and who is not. In life, we also make decisions on what to do and what not to do. The verdicts you make say a lot about how you make decisions. You are judged by your verdicts!
King Solomon had just prayed for wisdom and God promised to grant it. Immediately after that promise from God, a case was brought before him. Two women quarreled and disagreed on whose child was dead and whose child was alive. Solomon ordered that the child be divided into two halves by a sword so that each mother takes half of the baby. The real mother surrendered and said don’t kill the child, let the other woman have the child. The fake mother insisted on the child being cut into two. Solomon gave the child to the sympathetic mother.
This judgment was wise and fair. Word went around on what had happened at the king’s court. The word always goes round. The word always leaks. Even decisions of top-secret meetings eventually leak out. Whichever way, officially or otherwise, how you make decisions, will be a subject of public discussions either in whispers or open dialogue.
Solomon earned a lot of respect because of the decision he made, which means if he had made a silly decision, he would still be king but without respect. Do you know you can remain a leader but without respect? If people believe you are corrupt, compromised, and dealing in selfish actions and favoring only your own, you will remain a leader but without respect. You will only be respected to avoid consequences but no true respect will come your way. That verdict caused people to respect Solomon. You are judged by your verdicts!
Will your verdicts cause you to earn respect from people? Or, will your verdicts cause people to only respect you to avoid punishment? How are the verdicts you make? Are you fair, merciful, accommodating, or self-centered and insisting on your way at everyone’s cost? You are judged by your verdicts!
You are judged by the decisions you make. If you choose to be absent from classes that is how you will be judged. If you choose to marry or date someone with a stinking past that is how you will be judged. If you forgive and treat respectfully those who offend you, that is how you will be judged. You are judged by your verdicts!
How you spend money is a verdict you make. How you relate with people and how you select them, is a verdict. How you neglect or show concern for your health is a verdict. Your attitude and conduct towards the things of God is a verdict. You are judged by your verdicts.
When you have a limited amount of money what is your verdict between enjoying a holiday now and crying about the economy next month? You are judged by your verdicts. When your health is threatened and you refuse medication and even expose yourself to more risks, it tells a lot about your judgment on serious issues. You are judged by your verdicts. If you are seriously offended, do you retaliate or walk away? That is your verdict. You are judged by your verdict. If you are tempted to sexual sin, what is your verdict? You are judged by your verdicts!
Solomon made a verdict that earned him respect as a leader. Dear God, grant me wisdom like Solomon, that my verdicts in life will bring glory to your holy name, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
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Well said Pastor. May I, like Solomon make decisions that will be pleasing to God and beneficial to myself and all who will be affected from now henceforth.
Amen, Glory to God!
Another message that reminds of my past verdicts many of were not spirit led…ooh I wish this message came before I made such verdicts!
Dear Jesus, as you granted wisdom to your servant, king Solomon, please do to me so that my verdicts as a minister of the gospel may give you glory in Jesus name amen.
Dr.Kesis, your daily sermons have really helped me personally, at family level, they have empowered my ministry….. Thanks man of God.
God bless you as you continue to divide the word.
Hallelujah, we bless the LORD!
May our good Lord lead us to make good verdicts at family levels and other spheres of life especially when leading the flock of God. We can’t change the ugly past, but the assurance we have is in the Grace of God which shall abound in our hearts upon sincere repentance. God will grant us His wisdom to make sound verdicts now and in the future. Amen!
Amen!
May our good Lord lead us to make good verdicts at family levels and other spheres of life especially when leading the flock of God. We can’t change the ugly past, but the assurance we have is in the Grace of God which shall abound in our hearts upon sincere repentance. God will grant us His wisdom to make sound verdicts now and in the future. Amen!
Amen!