In The Wisdom Of King Solomon

When two women fought over who was the mother of a baby, King Solomon said that if they couldn't agree, he would split the baby in two so each would have half.

One woman said to split the baby while the other said the first woman could have the baby. Solomon then ordered the baby given to the second woman, for in her loving response it was was clear to him she was the real mother.

This is a well known story, but there is another King Solomon story that is not so well known.

Two men fought over who owned a very successful business. King Solomon said if they could not agree he would sell the business and keep the proceeds.

The first man screamed, "This business is mine, and only mine. You have no right to do that." While the second man nobly said, "He can have the business."

King Solomon ordered the business given to the first man, for in this man's greed, it was clear to Solomon that he was the real owner.

"For that is how most businessmen are," said Solomon while shaking his head in disgust. "And this man is especially greedy. The second man is better off without him."

But that's not the end of our story.

Because of his greed, the first man eventually ran the business into bankruptcy, where the second man bought all the assets for pennies on the dollar.

"I knew this would happen," said the second man. "And I think King Solomon did too. So why split the business when with a little patience, I could have it all."

Dick