Listen… You Need Understanding

Recently, in the course of a conversation with my Pastor, I recalled David’s last conversation with Solomon before he passed on and I have since given it a lot of thought. I realized that Solomon already started showing signs of wisdom and understanding before he was crowned king. Apart from the fact that God already chose him, he seemed in my opinion, to be the only one of David’s sons, who acted appropriately enough to enter that office. So that though the prophetic word concerning his destiny had been spoken, he walked appropriately enough to ensure that word came to pass. His discussion with David just before David died, gives some insight into the person that Solomon was. It showed him to be a man who listened carefully and as such, had great understanding. David appeared to be giving him uncompleted instructions concerning different people but Solomon understood him and knew what he was expected to do concerning each person and/or instruction. Indeed, David also showed that he trusted him enough to let him exercise his discretion with regard to dealing with the persons that he needed to deal with and he obviously exercised the discretion correctly.

1 Kings 2: 6a “…do with him what you think best…”

1 Kings 2: 9 “… you are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange…”

Though David’s words were few, Solomon obviously did not miss out anything. He heard his father’s heart in those very few words and made the right decisions regarding each person showing that he had good judgment. There is something about paying earnest attention. It helps us hear even what is left unsaid accurately “reading between the lines.” Sadly, we very often don’t pay attention enough to hear the things that are left unsaid but therein often lies the little details that help our understanding so that we may respond appropriately. Understanding is so important that God counsels in His word that we get understanding. In asking us to get understanding, God is letting us know that it is our job to develop it. It is not done for us; neither is it taught us; but it is our responsibility to get it. The skill and/or ability to make good judgment is already freely given by God, we just need to sharpen it and we have the Holy Spirit to help us.

Proverbs 4: 5 “Get wisdom; develop good judgment.”

Proverbs 4: 7 “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgement.”

To get understanding, one needs to be able to hear and also listen. We need our hearing sharpened and patience to listen that we may hear what is left unsaid and hear it correctly. According to Oxford dictionary, to listen is to “pay attention to” whilst to hear is to “perceive with the ear the sound made by someone or something”. Many of us hear but don’t listen so how can we then make wise decisions? We remain timid and/or immature because we do not have understanding. We often are either not open to receiving any information because our minds are already made up or we believe we are correct or our attention span is just short so we don’t listen long enough to even take in any new information. We must begin to listen again. We must take control of our minds and ensure that it does not stray when it should be listening. Indeed our difficulty with listening is some of the reasons we are unable to access the hidden treasure in the word of God that would move us forward. One has to pay earnest attention to the God’s word to increase in wisdom and understanding. When the bible talks about ‘hearing and hearing’, it is talking about listening enough to take in information.

2 Timothy 1: 7 “For God has not given us a Spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

If we would listen enough, we would discern more accurately and be saved a lot of trouble. Just imagine what would have happened if Solomon did not really understand David, I am certain that some other persons would have counselled him out of his instructions and they may do so out of ‘love’ for him. Indeed even his mother almost misled him in asking him to let Abishag be given to his brother Absalom. Understanding makes one bold and confident as against a lack of it which makes one nervous and confused strengthening one’s flesh. Please get understanding and it is your decision.