ESV And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place ofDavid my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 

1 Kings 3:7

In the 17th century, people began calling the third molars “the teeth of wisdom.” Eventually, the name was shortened to “wisdom teeth.” There’s actually a bit of truth behind that old phrase — those teeth tend to come in around the time a person reaches adulthood, when the brain has finally finished developing, usually by age twenty-five. 

That name makes us think of Solomon. When he first became king, he didn’t rely on his age, his title, or his abilities. Instead, he came to God with a childlike heart and prayed, “I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in” (1 Kings 3:7 KJV). Solomon understood that real wisdom doesn’t come with age—it comes from God. 

And honestly, we’re all like little children in that way. No matter how old we get, we still need our heavenly Father’s wisdom to guide us through life’s choices and challenges. The good news is, God loves to give wisdom to His children who ask. James 1:5 reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach.” 

Paul also prayed that believers would receive “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus” (Ephesians 1:17). True wisdom begins when we draw close to Christ and honor Him in all we do. Proverbs 9:10 puts it beautifully: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” 

So maybe the next time you hear someone mention “wisdom teeth,” you can smile and remember that God invites you to grow in a much deeper kind of wisdom—the kind that shapes your heart, strengthens your faith, and helps you walk closely with Him every day. 

Each morning this week, pause for a moment before you begin your day and pray, “Lord, give me Your wisdom today.” Then, as decisions or challenges come your way, take a breath and ask again, “What would wisdom do here?” You may be surprised how gently God leads you when you give Him room to guide your thoughts and steps.