Solomon. The third king of Israel. The son of David and Bathsheba. Solomon is remembered for a number of things: his building program which included Jerusalem's original magnificent Temple, his immense wealth generated through trade and administrative reorganization, his 700 wives and 300 concubines (or PORcupines, as some Sunday School students will tell you), and his legendary wisdom, the result of the prayer we read in our lesson.

If there is any single story commonly remembered of King Solomon it is the account of the two prostitutes who claimed a single surviving child.(1)

"He's mine," said the one.

"No, he's mine," said the other.

"Bring me a sword," said Solomon. "I'll cut the baby in two and each one can have half."

"Fine," said the one.

"NO," screamed the other. "If that's t…