King Solomon on Israel and Gaza (ud)

What would King Solomon do to resolve this age old conflict?

News sources, commentators, blogs, etc. all over the world are reporting the latest conflict between Israel and Palestine.  As there are two sides to every conflict, I wondered what proverb of advice King Solomon might suggest to find peace between these two adversaries which dates back 3000 years.  During his sixty year reign, peace prevailed even though the same basic ingredients of land rights, religious cultures, hatred and revengement for losses of loved ones and personal possessions have occurred because of war.

King Solomon is best known for his wise judgment on commanding that a baby be cut in half to resolve the issue of two mothers claiming the same baby. If you are now thinking that I am going to suggest the land be divided in two, no, that has already been tried and has obviously failed.

What I am going to suggest instead may seem radical, but the method was used in ancient times to resolve an issue between two parties that dragged on and on. Three thousand years to me indicates that this problem has dragged on and on, and may never be resolved. Perhaps it should be considered. After you read the proverb, I recommend you think about it for a while. If you can suggest another method that might work as quickly and decisively as this would, I am all ears.

I have chosen the following novel excerpt of what I surmised King Solomon, based on his proverb, would have advised the Queen of Sheba about why he used this method. The novel is a contemporary application of a story form to promote understanding of proverbs and ancient wise sayings in relation to our modern times.

Excerpt

“Tell them to decide this issue yearly by drawing lots from the pocket of your robe, and let Yahweh decide for them. Since no man can know the outcome of a lot, the chancy process will be the will of Yahweh.” The lot is cast into the pocket, but the verdict is wholly from Yahweh. (Proverb 16:33)

In other words, use the lot method the next time the parties negotiate and every time there is a stalemate, draw lots and move on to the next issue.  If neither party will agree to this method, the only other one I can suggest is this advice I also surmised King Solomon gave to the Queen of Sheba.

Excerpt

“I will also pray again to my Gods for wisdom to help you. We are now on a mountaintop, nearer to our Gods in the heavens and away from the entreaties of the masses below in hope that they may hear us more clearly. Never underestimate the power of prayer. Do not think that your maker, who made you for His reasons, will not listen to your prayers and entreaties. Prayer is the undisputed trait of piety and the greatest source of strength for the righteous.”

Source

As A Lily Among Thorns – A Story of King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, and the Goddess of Wisdom by Rudy U Martinka

Now available as an eBook at all sellers.   View at link below.

http://amazon.com/gp/search?field-author=rudy+martinka&index=books