How quickly Solomon was placed in a position to exercise the gift of wisdom God had granted him in the ruling of the battle over newborn babies by two prostitutes and the tragic death of one of them. While Solomon's wisdom is a key element of this passage, I could not help but see a destructive attitude in the response of the mother whose child had died. The mother of the living baby was willing to give him up in order to save the baby, but the mother of the dead child reflected, "If I can't have him no one will!" Was she angry and unforgiving of herself for her actions or the neglect that caused the death of her child? What would possess anyone to feel that way? I would call it "Grieving Anger."
I am sure that each of us has experienced grief in our lives. If grief is allowed to manifest itself in anger then we are prone to make bad decisions and grieve the very One who can comfort us. In doing so we lose the wisdom and peace that only God can give. One of my favorite Scripture verses says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" (James 1:5).
Thank you, God, for your promise of forgiveness and healing in our grief.
