The Heart of Solomon vs The Heart of the Apostles
1
Kings 4:29 – “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great understanding,
and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.”
1 Kings 3:5–9 – Solomon asks for an
understanding heart to judge God’s people.
2 Cor 6:11–13 – “Our heart is enlarged… you are restricted in your own affections.”
Aspect |
The
Heart of Solomon |
The
Heart of the Apostles |
Meaning |
The heart of
Solomon signifies a broad, inclusive, and profound spiritual capacity born out of
divine wisdom—enabling him to govern God’s people rightly. |
The apostles’ heart
signifies a large, open, and inclusive heart formed in the
life of Christ—able to shepherd and supply all the saints with
divine love and life. |
Symbolism |
“As the sand on
the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29)—showing the immeasurable breadth
of the heart given by God. Sand restrains the sea, implying that Solomon’s heart was even
larger than the sea. |
“Our mouth is
open to you, our heart is enlarged” (2 Cor 6:11)—showing
openness, freedom, and a heart that can
contain all believers in love. |
Distinction |
The heart of
Solomon expresses the outward aspect
of wisdom, enabling righteous judgment and administration among God’s
people. |
The apostles’
heart expresses the inward reality of
divine life, enabling love, supply, restoration, and fellowship within
God’s family. |
Explanation |
When Solomon
asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3:9), God granted him a heart “as the sand of the sea”—broad and immeasurable. Wisdom and
largeness of heart are two sides of one thing: true wisdom produces a great
heart. |
The apostles’
heart, enlarged in the life of Christ, could embrace all believers—whether
strong or
weak, right or astray—ministering
life and leading them back to God. |
Example |
1
Kings 3:16–28 — Solomon’s judgment between two women over a
child shows discernment joined with compassion and broadness. |
2
Cor 2:4–7 — Paul, though sorrowful, exhorts the saints to forgive
the offender, showing a heart full of love and
restoration. |
Application |
Spiritual
people should seek both wisdom and largeness of heart—able to
understand, contain, and handle God’s affairs without narrowness
or pride. |
New Testament
servants must have an open mouth and an enlarged heart, embracing all
saints and ministering life rather than condemnation. |
Mutual Relationship |
The heart of
Solomon prefigures, in the Old Testament, the unity of wisdom and heart-capacity. |
The apostles’
heart fulfills this in the New Testament as the expression of God’s
infinite love in Christ. Together, they manifest the vast heart of God Himself. |
Detailed Scriptures |
2 Chron 1:10 – “Give me wisdom and knowledge to go out and
come in before this people.” |
2 Cor 7:2–3 – “You are in our hearts to die together and
live together.” |
Key Summary |
- Wisdom
and heart-capacity are one. |
- Love
and largeness are inseparable. |
Spiritual Conclusion:
o Solomon's heart—the vast capacity born of God's wisdom;
o The apostle's heart—the love and tolerance
flowing from Christ's life;
o Both demonstrate the expansion of God's infinite, wise,
and loving heart within humanity.
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