**The Wisdom of King Jedidiah: A Tale of Justice and Righteousness**
In the golden age of Israel, when the kingdom flourished under the hand of a wise and discerning ruler, there lived a king named Jedidiah, beloved by his people and favored by the Lord. His reign was marked by justice, for he governed with the fear of the Almighty, knowing that *”The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes”* (Proverbs 21:1).
One evening, as the sun dipped below the hills of Judah, casting long shadows over the palace courtyards, two men were brought before the king. The first was a wealthy merchant named Laban, dressed in fine linen and adorned with rings of gold. The second was a humble farmer, Eliab, his hands calloused from toil, his tunic worn but clean.
Laban bowed deeply before the throne and spoke first. “O great king, this man has stolen from me! A sack of silver was taken from my storeroom, and I found it hidden beneath his floor. He is a thief and must be punished!” His voice was smooth, his words carefully chosen.
Eliab fell to his knees, his face lined with sorrow. “My lord, I swear by the God of Israel, I have stolen nothing! Laban has long sought my field, for it lies beside his own. When I refused to sell, he accused me falsely. The silver was placed in my house without my knowledge!”
King Jedidiah stroked his beard, his eyes sharp as flint. He knew that *”Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts”* (Proverbs 21:2). He turned to Laban. “Tell me, merchant, when did you last see this silver?”
Laban hesitated only a moment. “Three nights past, my king. I counted it before the Sabbath and found it missing the next morning.”
The king nodded slowly, then turned to Eliab. “And you, farmer—when did you last enter the city?”
Eliab lifted his head. “Not for a full moon’s turn, my lord. My wife was ill, and I have not left her side. My neighbors can testify to this.”
The king’s gaze shifted between the two men. He knew that *”To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice”* (Proverbs 21:3). He called for the captain of his guard. “Send men to Eliab’s village. Let them inquire of his neighbors and see if his words hold truth.”
Then he turned back to Laban. “Tell me, merchant, if this silver was yours, what marks did it bear? Was it newly minted, or old? Were the coins from Tyre or Egypt?”
Laban’s confidence wavered. “I—I do not recall, my king. Does it matter? The silver was mine!”
The king’s voice grew firm. *”The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death”* (Proverbs 21:6). He leaned forward. “A man who cannot describe his own wealth is either a fool or a liar. Which are you?”
Laban’s face paled. Before he could answer, the guards returned with Eliab’s neighbors, who confirmed that the farmer had not left his home in weeks.
The king stood, his robes sweeping the marble floor. “Laban, your deceit is uncovered. You sought to take a righteous man’s land by false witness, but *”The violence of the wicked will destroy them, because they refuse to do justice”* (Proverbs 21:7). You shall repay Eliab double for the shame you brought upon him, and you shall work in the fields you coveted until the debt is paid.”
The people marveled at the wisdom of their king, for he ruled not by might alone, but by the fear of the Lord. And so the kingdom prospered, for *”When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers”* (Proverbs 21:15).
Thus, the wisdom of Solomon’s proverbs lived on in the deeds of King Jedidiah, a reminder that the Lord sees all, and He delights in those who walk in truth.
