Solomon gets married and as he contemplates the enormity of his new job, he responds to God and asks…

I Kings 3:8-9

“Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

The king is somewhat overwhelmed by his new job and so he asks God for help, and God responds..

I Kings 3:12

“I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.”

Most every bible translation highlights ‘discernment’ in both Solomon’s request and God’s answer. 

What is discernment?

 – the ability to judge well;  

 – the ability to grasp and comprehend the obscure.  

In Proverbs, we begin to see Solomon share this wisdom and discernment as he counsels young men…

Proverbs 18:22

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”

and also….

Proverbs 31:10

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”

Wisdom and discernment can be very important ‭‭in our work, but how much more in ‘finding’ a wife! The Hebrew word for find in these verses is ‘matsa’ which means:

– to happen upon

– to encounter 

It means being alert as you go with your eyes and ears open vs stopping what you are doing to go and search. 

*Reflection. Everyone needs wisdom and discernment, but not just ‘on the job’. We need the ability to judge well as we enter into and navigate life changing relationships.