지혜를 구한 왕

A Crown Too Heavy

Long ago, a young man named Solomon became king over a large and hopeful nation. His father had ruled for many years, and the people still remembered him fondly. Solomon was young, and the weight of the crown quietly frightened him. Every morning, crowds gathered at his gate, waiting for him to settle their quarrels. He looked at the endless requests and the anxious faces, and he felt very small. He knew that even one unfair decision could wound a family for many years. How could one person decide what was truly fair for so many?

A Question in the Dark

One night, as the old story in the Hebrew Scriptures tells us (1 Kings 3), Solomon dreamed. In the dream, God offered him a remarkable and generous gift. He could ask for anything at all, and it would surely be given. It was the kind of moment most of us can only imagine. The offer was real, and no hidden condition seemed attached to it. Most people, if honest, would picture gold, long life, or victory over their enemies. Solomon could have chosen any of these treasures without shame or blame.