1 Kings 4:33
And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
Solomon's God-given wisdom embraced the natural world, from the greatest trees to the smallest plants and including land animals, birds, creeping things and fishes. His speaking grew out of diligent study of all created things, animate and inanimate, beyond any single branch of learning. In every tree and shrub and flower and in the forces of nature he saw infinite wisdom revealed, gaining a clearer view of the Creator that deepened his knowledge of God and love for Him. That understanding joined to his character and the glory of his reign made his wisdom famous among all nations, so that people from distant lands and kings of the earth came to hear him and learn how to handle difficult affairs.
Solomon's Knowledge of Nature
Solomon's God-given wisdom included knowledge of the natural world, and he spoke of plant life from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop springing out of the wall and of beasts and of fowl and of creeping things and of fishes. His speaking ranged from the greatest trees to the smallest herbs and small plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the small hyssop growing from a wall, and across animals, birds, reptiles, and fish throughout the created world. That speaking came from special interest in natural history and diligent study of all created things, both animate and inanimate, and his research was not confined to one branch of learning. The breadth and extent of this speaking proves largeness of heart, superior knowledge, power of understanding, and extent of knowledge. His wisdom was expressed not only in this wide knowledge of creation but also in proverbs and in composed songs, for he wrote proverbs and composed songs and was renowned for knowledge whose understanding extended across the natural world. Natural science, including knowledge of plants, animals, birds, creeping things, and fish, was among the principal subjects studied in Israel.
Knowing Creator, Instructing Nations
Solomon's speaking of trees and animals was not mere natural history, for his study of created things revealed God's wisdom and gave him a clearer conception of the Creator. In the forces of nature, in the mineral and the animal world, and in every tree and shrub and flower he saw a revelation of infinite wisdom. From the loftiest cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop growing out of a wall, the variety of created things bears the Creator's mark. Cedar and hyssop alike receive their beauty and usefulness from the same source, and this study of both inanimate and animate creation helped him recognize God as the God of nature.
As he sought to learn more and more through that study, his knowledge of God and his love for Him constantly increased and deepened. What he learned he taught to people from many lands, that God is Creator, and they learned to regard nature as an instructor. This wide knowledge of plants from the great cedar to the small hyssop and of beasts and fowl and creeping things and fishes, joined to excellence of character and greatness of power and glory of his reign, helped make his wisdom famous among the nations. It was acknowledged by all nations and commanded the wonder and admiration of the world, astonished the world, was praised throughout the land, and became a wonder to the world.
People from distant parts of the world and from all kings of the earth came to hear his wisdom, to see the manner of his government, to learn from him, and to receive instruction regarding the conduct of difficult affairs.