Before his heart turned from God, King Solomon was a humble and devoted servant of the Lord. It was in that humility that when asked by God, “What shall I give you?” Solomon responded:

“…give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil.”

1 Kings 3:9 (NKJV)

Of course, the Lord was quite pleased by Solomon’s request. He had asked for neither riches nor long life. Instead, Solomon sought the attribute that would make him a better leader of his people: wisdom.

Seven hundred wives and 300 concubines later, that formerly faithful heart had turned elsewhere – to other gods, lusts and idols. His preoccupations no longer included justice and righteousness in accordance with his God-given wisdom, but were instead pride, envy and greed. This “wisdom” came from elsewhere. In his epistle, James the Just tells us just where:

“But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”

James 3:14-15

Solomon’s turn was tragic. His failure to maintain faithfulness to the Lord led to the rupture of his realm into two kingdoms – and initiated a downward spiral of failed kingships across Israel and Judah resulting in ceaseless wars and, ultimately, in exile.

Solomon’s is a story of failed leadership. What are the implications for those who would lead in the present day? And, perhaps more importantly, what are the implications for a democracy such as ours where political leaders are chosen by those to be governed?

As a Christian, I believe God has made it crystal clear as to what we must seek in our elected leaders. The fact that He was at first pleased with Solomon for setting aside his pride and seeking discernment highlights two of the most essential traits: humility and wisdom.

Of course, it must not be wisdom that is “earthly, sensual, demonic.” It must be godly in nature – the type of discernment granted by God to Solomon prior to his devolution into unfaithfulness.

But what is “godly” wisdom? How do we recognize it in our leaders?

James had something to say about this as well, contrasting godly wisdom with that which “does not descend from above.”

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

James 3:17

This one verse describes the nature of the wisdom God granted to Solomon as a result of his humble request. One short verse, eight monumental traits of godly wisdom – the wisdom from above that God wants to see exercised in the leadership of His people. Such wisdom:

• Is pure. It is honest, loving – without contamination, without deceit.
• Seeks peace, for that is what God wants for His faithful.
• Is gentle. It is not angry or hateful. It does not seek vengeance for real or imagined grievances.
• Is not stubborn; it is willing to yield for the betterment of others – particularly those being led.
• Is full of mercy. A wise man will heed the word of God: “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.” (James 2:13)
• Produces good fruit. It is not self-serving but focuses outward rather than inward.
• Is without partiality. It is just to all.
• Is without hypocrisy. “The righteous man walks in his integrity.” (Proverbs 20:7)

This is godly wisdom – wisdom “from above.” It is wisdom that God was pleased to grant to Solomon so that he might lead God’s people with justice and righteousness. Unfortunately, Solomon’s decaying faithfulness transformed his God-given wisdom into a worldly, demonic one. The subsequent fracture of his kingdom is attributable to that transformation. Let us be “wise” to the lessons learned.