I have heard and read this story many times. For a long time I believed that the gift of an understanding heart was a sudden and momentous occasion; that Solomon lacked wisdom and an understanding heart and then woke up in the morning suddenly wiser and more understanding then he had been the night before.
In my recent reading I have realized this is probably not the way it happened. The Lord will bless everyone; however, many blessings are predicated upon obedience and righteousness. See D&C 130:20-21. It is more likely that Solomon, through his faith and obedience to the commandments of God, was in the process of developing an understanding heart. When he was appointed as the king over Israel he probably felt very inadequate. He knew his weaknesses and probably often approached the Lord, knowing that the Lord can turn our weaknesses into strengths. See Either 12:23.
Following the Lord’s promised blessing, Solomon then put his shoulder to the wheel, to use a phrase from a pioneer song, and cultivated an understanding heart. I doubt he suddenly expected to be wise, most likely he began seeking for wisdom from the Lord, his advisors, and through personal learning. As time progressed, he began to develop a keener mind and a more understanding heart.
Elder Howard W. Hunter addressed the topic of gaining an understanding heart in General Conference, April 1962. He said, “if we [have] a desire to acquire an understanding heart. This must come from conscious effort coupled with faith and firm determination. An understanding heart results from the experiences we have in life if we keep the commandments of God....” See Student Manual: 1 Kings–Malachi, Chapter 1 § 50.
The Lord gave a wonderful gift to Solomon, a gift needed for a righteous king and judge in Israel to function properly. Yet, this gift is not only for kings, judges, or bishops. It is for everyone. An understanding heart would bring us closer to the Savior. It would help us be kind and loving to families, friends, strangers, and of course enemies. Truly, if a king over all of Israel was humble enough to ask and work for an understanding heart, perhaps we should follow his counsel as do likewise.
In my recent reading I have realized this is probably not the way it happened. The Lord will bless everyone; however, many blessings are predicated upon obedience and righteousness. See D&C 130:20-21. It is more likely that Solomon, through his faith and obedience to the commandments of God, was in the process of developing an understanding heart. When he was appointed as the king over Israel he probably felt very inadequate. He knew his weaknesses and probably often approached the Lord, knowing that the Lord can turn our weaknesses into strengths. See Either 12:23.
Following the Lord’s promised blessing, Solomon then put his shoulder to the wheel, to use a phrase from a pioneer song, and cultivated an understanding heart. I doubt he suddenly expected to be wise, most likely he began seeking for wisdom from the Lord, his advisors, and through personal learning. As time progressed, he began to develop a keener mind and a more understanding heart.
Elder Howard W. Hunter addressed the topic of gaining an understanding heart in General Conference, April 1962. He said, “if we [have] a desire to acquire an understanding heart. This must come from conscious effort coupled with faith and firm determination. An understanding heart results from the experiences we have in life if we keep the commandments of God....” See Student Manual: 1 Kings–Malachi, Chapter 1 § 50.
The Lord gave a wonderful gift to Solomon, a gift needed for a righteous king and judge in Israel to function properly. Yet, this gift is not only for kings, judges, or bishops. It is for everyone. An understanding heart would bring us closer to the Savior. It would help us be kind and loving to families, friends, strangers, and of course enemies. Truly, if a king over all of Israel was humble enough to ask and work for an understanding heart, perhaps we should follow his counsel as do likewise.
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