Solomon’s Wisdom

29 God gave Solomon wisdom(A) and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand(B) on the seashore. 30 Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East,(C) and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.(D) 31 He was wiser(E) than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs(F) and his songs(G) numbered a thousand and five. 33 He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop(H) that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 34 From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings(I) of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 4:34 In Hebrew texts 4:21-34 is numbered 5:1-14.

Fame of Solomon’s Wisdom

29 God gave Solomon very great wisdom, discernment, and breadth of understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore,(A) 30 so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.(B) 31 He was wiser than anyone else, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, children of Mahol; his fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations.(C) 32 He composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.(D) 33 He would speak of trees, from the cedar that is in the Lebanon to the hyssop that grows in the wall; he would speak of animals, and birds, and reptiles, and fish. 34 People came from all the nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.(E)

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