Portrait of King Solomon in His LibraryBible World
4:301 Kings 4:30
And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, with largeness of heart, surpassing the wisdom of the children of the east country and all the wisdom of Egypt and making him wiser than all men, the wisest king. This wisdom came in answer to his request for a quick mind, a large heart, and a tender and understanding heart to discern between good and evil. In this was fulfilled the promise of his youth. He valued this gift above riches, honor, or long life.
His superiority lay in greater knowledge, power of understanding, excellence of character, and greatness of power. It was shown in justice and magnanimity, and in energy and piety in word and deed. It was shown in wise direction and skill in managing the kingdom, in magnificent buildings and public works including construction of the temple, and in wealth and in loyalty won in Israel. The same wisdom produced three thousand proverbs and a thousand and five songs. It gave wide knowledge of nature from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop out of the wall, and of beasts, and fowl, and creeping things, and fishes.
Through diligent study of all created things, animate and inanimate, including plants and animals and the forces of nature and the mineral world and every tree, shrub, and flower, Solomon gained a clearer conception of the Creator. He saw God's infinite wisdom revealed in nature, recognized God as the God of nature, and taught others that God created all things. As he learned more his knowledge of God and his love for him increased. This wisdom brought him fame in all nations round about, renowned throughout the world and praised throughout the land, commanding the wonder and admiration of the world.
His wise rule and the temple helped spread his reputation. All nations acknowledged and marveled at him. People came from many places and distant parts, from all kings of the earth, to hear his wisdom, to see the manner of his government, to receive instruction regarding the conduct of difficult affairs, and to learn from him. His wisdom was part of the honor Israel displayed to surrounding nations and bore witness to the greatness of Jehovah. His wisdom astonished the world, yet his later surrender to lustful passion and idolatry shows that great wisdom does not preserve a person who abandons principle, and that he needed God's strength and watchfulness to remain faithful to the end.
His wisdom did not keep him faithful when he stopped making God his guide. His self-indulgence made him a despot whose rule led to oppressive taxation.
God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, with largeness of heart, surpassing the wisdom of the children of the east country and all the wisdom of Egypt and making him wiser than all men, the wisest king. This wisdom came in answer to his request for a quick mind, a large heart, and a tender and understanding heart to discern between good and evil. In this was fulfilled the promise of his youth. He valued this gift above riches, honor, or long life.
His superiority lay in greater knowledge, power of understanding, excellence of character, and greatness of power. It was shown in justice and magnanimity, and in energy and piety in word and deed. It was shown in wise direction and skill in managing the kingdom, in magnificent buildings and public works including construction of the temple, and in wealth and in loyalty won in Israel. The same wisdom produced three thousand proverbs and a thousand and five songs. It gave wide knowledge of nature from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop out of the wall, and of beasts, and fowl, and creeping things, and fishes.
Through diligent study of all created things, animate and inanimate, including plants and animals and the forces of nature and the mineral world and every tree, shrub, and flower, Solomon gained a clearer conception of the Creator. He saw God's infinite wisdom revealed in nature, recognized God as the God of nature, and taught others that God created all things. As he learned more his knowledge of God and his love for him increased. This wisdom brought him fame in all nations round about, renowned throughout the world and praised throughout the land, commanding the wonder and admiration of the world.
His wise rule and the temple helped spread his reputation. All nations acknowledged and marveled at him. People came from many places and distant parts, from all kings of the earth, to hear his wisdom, to see the manner of his government, to receive instruction regarding the conduct of difficult affairs, and to learn from him. His wisdom was part of the honor Israel displayed to surrounding nations and bore witness to the greatness of Jehovah. His wisdom astonished the world, yet his later surrender to lustful passion and idolatry shows that great wisdom does not preserve a person who abandons principle, and that he needed God's strength and watchfulness to remain faithful to the end.
His wisdom did not keep him faithful when he stopped making God his guide. His self-indulgence made him a despot whose rule led to oppressive taxation.