Two Diary Entries

From the Desk of Solomon

Dear Journal,

It is not yet dawn but I must write. I just had the most amazing dream and I am not quite sure what to say.
I am at Gibeon and just then I woke up from what I think was a vision. I’m sure the Lord spoke to me, no mistake.
He simply to said to me, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give to you.’
I was amazed. Not only was God speaking to me, but he asked me what I wanted. Many things ran through my mind. Gold, riches, a long prosperous life, everything and anything people value. I suddenly wished I had the wisdom to decide and the thought came to me. Wisdom! Wisdom to rule my country in the way the Lord wants me to.
I asked the Lord in what I hoped was a respectful tone for wisdom to rule his people. He seemed pleased with me. Then he told me that he was pleased with my answer, and since I had not asked for other things that a greedy man would ask for, he said he would give me riches and honour as well. He also said that if I obeyed him he would give me a long life as well. A four in one deal!
I must think on these things. I will write later.
Solomon


From the Desk of Solomon

Dear Journal,

It has been a moon since I had my dream. I wished to write sooner but I was busy sending up offerings to the Lord for his gift. I wish to record the day’s events. Two prostitutes came to me today, they asked for my wisdom. Both women came up to me and one told me a story.
‘My lord, this woman and I live in the same house. I had a baby while she was there with me. The third day after my child was born; this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.’
She stopped to take breath then continued. ‘During the night this woman's son died because she lay on him. So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I, your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn't the son I had borne.’
The other women gasped. ‘This is not true,’ she insisted. ‘The dead one is yours and the living one mine! My lord, believe me!’
‘This isn’t true,’ the other women narrowed her eyes. ‘That baby is mine. You must believe me,’ she said turning to me.
‘You are a liar,’ hissed the first women.
I watched them argue before me and slowly a thought came into my head.
‘’You must not argue,’ I commanded. ‘Bring me a sword!’
My weapon-handler came to me holding the sword and handed it to me. ‘Cut the child in two,’ I said. ‘Each of you can have one half and the problem is solved.’
The second women’s eyes widened and she gaped at me. ‘No.’ she cried. ‘Give it to her; do not cut it in half!’
The first women sneered at her. ‘No, the King has decided. It is a wise decision. Cut it in half.’
‘No!’ I said ‘Don’t cut it in half. Give it to the first women. It is her baby and she is its mother.’
That is what happened. The woman gratefully took her baby back and the other woman went away in a huff. Now Israel is in awe of me, but they must know! It is not me, but God!’

Jordan. R Haase
May 14, 2009