1 Kings 4:29, commentary and pictures

God answered Solomon's request for an understanding heart to judge between good and evil, when he chose wisdom above riches, honor and long life, with wisdom and understanding and largeness of heart in exceeding abundance, immeasurable as sand on the seashore. The gift was a quick mind, a large and broad mind, and a tender, generous spirit, given to fit him for the heavy work of ruling Israel, executing judgment and building the temple. It made him wiser than the men of the east and of Egypt, even Ethan, Heman, Chalcol and Darda, and flowed out in three thousand proverbs and a thousand and five songs and in understanding of trees, beasts, birds, creeping things and fishes. Through diligent study of all created things he saw in nature a revelation of God's wisdom, and his just and wise government and the magnificent temple testified to the nations of Jehovah's power, so that kings and people from distant lands came to hear him and seek his counsel. Yet the gift did not preserve him when self-indulgence and lustful passion led him into idolatry and tyranny, and the wisdom he had received was removed.

Gift Given to Solomon

God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding as the answer to his request for an understanding heart to discern between good and evil. He had chosen wisdom above earthly riches, honor, and long life, and God granted the petition he desired. That choice made him the wisest of earthly monarchs, with an understanding heart that was the wisdom of God in him to do judgment.

Wisdom, understanding, and largeness of heart meant a quick mind, a large and broad mind, and a tender spirit. They were given in exceeding abundance and exceeding measure, with breadth of mind and largeness of heart immeasurable as the sand on the seashore.

The gift was given to meet the heavy responsibilities of ruling Israel, doing judgment, managing the affairs of the kingdom, and building the temple. Solomon and his men in positions of trust knew they were insufficient in their own strength for that work. At Gibeon they offered a thousand burnt offerings, not as formal ceremony but as a token of earnest desire for special help, longing for the wisdom, understanding, and largeness of heart that God then supplied in exceeding measure.

It belonged to the early years of his reign, and to the early part of his reign when Israel shone as a light to the world. At that time the Lord was with him, strengthened his kingdom, and magnified him exceedingly. God also added riches and honor beyond what he had asked.

Wisdom's Breadth and Renown

God gave Solomon wisdom that surpassed other peoples and the wisdom of the east and of Egypt, making him wiser than all men, including Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Chalcol, and Darda. That breadth of heart was likened to the sand on the seashore, an exceeding measure of wisdom and understanding with breadth of mind.

His wisdom produced three thousand proverbs and a thousand and five songs. It included understanding of trees from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop in the wall, and of beasts, birds, creeping things, fishes, plants, and animals. His proverbs, songs, leadership, and management of the kingdom's affairs displayed that extraordinary gift.

The wisdom was not confined to one branch of learning but came through diligent study of all created things, animate and inanimate. He took special interest in natural history, seeing a revelation of God's infinite wisdom in the forces of nature and in the mineral and animal world and in every tree and shrub and flower, and so gained a clearer conception of the Creator. As he learned more his knowledge of God and his love for God constantly increased. He taught visitors that God is the Creator, so that they learned to view nature as a teacher, and careful study that deepens knowledge of God and benefits others belongs to the gift of the verse.

The gift brought him fame, honor, and greatness of power among surrounding nations, and the power of his understanding, the extent of his knowledge, and the glory of his reign commanded the wonder and admiration of the world. People of all nations and kings of the earth came to hear him, many from distant parts to see his government, to receive instruction for difficult affairs, and to seek his counsel and learn from him. By justice and magnanimity he won the loyalty of Israel and the admiration of rulers of many lands, and for many years the gift appeared in devotion to God, uprightness and firm principle, strict obedience to God's commands, and wise direction of every important enterprise and business matters of the kingdom. All nations acknowledged and marveled at his superior knowledge, excellence of character, and glory of his reign.

In faithfulness in carrying out God's directions for the temple he produced the most magnificent building the world has seen for richness, beauty, and costly design. That wisdom, together with his righteousness, testified to the surrounding nations of Jehovah's power, and during the early part of his reign Israel shone as a light to the world.

Faithfulness, Failure, and Generosity

God gave Solomon extraordinary wisdom and understanding that made him renowned, yet that divine gift did not preserve him when he surrendered to lustful passion. The influence of that passion led him into idolatry and away from God. The wisdom he had received was later removed. He had once been the wisest king, but when he failed to make God his guide his judgment and character declined. Self-indulgence replaced conscientious care, and he became a tyrant whose extravagance burdened the poor with heavy taxes.

Largeness of heart is a quality God gives, to be sought as generosity and kindness that enables a person to make sacrifices for another's happiness and peace of mind.