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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Kings 4:29 - 4:34
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Solomon's Wisdom
v. 29. And God, according to His promise, 1Ki_3:12, gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much and largeness of heart, sharpness of insight to comprehend conditions and to realize their relationship to others, even as the sand that is on the seashore, a description of an innumerable multitude.
v. 30. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the East country, the Arabians, known for their shrewd judgment of men and circumstances, and all the wisdom of Egypt, whose learning at that time was proverbial.
v. 31. For ha was wiser than all men, as God had promised him, 1Ki_3:12; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman and Chalcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol, 1Ch_2:6, men celebrated for their knowledge of poetry and music and for their general learning; and his fame was in all nations round about. Cf 1Ki_10:1-23.
v. 32. And he spake three thousand proverbs, of which the Book of Proverbs offers a selection; and his songs were a thousand and five, those which have been preserved being Psalms 72, Psalms 127, and the Song of Solomon.
v. 33. And he spake of trees, his was not merely a spiritual knowledge, but he also had a remarkable understanding of the kingdom of nature, from the cedar-tree that is in Lebanon, known for its stately beauty, even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall, hardly more than a shrub. He spake also of beasts, of the entire animal kingdom, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes, the division of animals into these four classes being then accepted.
v. 34. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth which had heard of his wisdom; they sent ambassadors to do him homage and to receive more certain information about him. To this day all the wisdom and secret learning of the Orient is connected with Solomon's name. Note: Christ, of whom Solomon is a type, is still greater and more remarkable in every way than this extraordinary king. He is the true King of Peace, and the gifts which He presents to His subjects are spiritual blessings in heavenly places. His is a wisdom from on high, from the bosom of the Father, which will last throughout eternity