Solomon’s Wisdom and Literary Gifts

29 God gave Solomon wisdom, very great insight, and understanding(A) as vast as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East,(B) greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.(C) 31 He was wiser than anyone(D)—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite,(E) and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, sons of Mahol.(F) His reputation extended to all the surrounding nations.(G)

32 Solomon composed 3,000 proverbs,(H) and his songs numbered 1,005.(I) 33 He described trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing out of the wall. He also taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish. 34 People came from everywhere, sent by every king on earth who had heard of his wisdom, to listen to Solomon’s wisdom.(J)

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Solomon’s Fame

29 God gave Solomon wisdom and great discernment. His insights were as numerous as sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon was wiser than any of the eastern leaders and wiser than anyone in Egypt. 31 He was wiser than anyone of his day—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, and wiser than Mahol’s sons Calcol and Darda.

His reputation was known throughout the surrounding nations. 32 Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. 33 He described trees—everything from cedars[a] that grow in Lebanon to hyssop that grows on a garden wall. He described animals, birds, reptiles, and fish. 34 People came from everywhere to hear Solomon’s advice. Every king on the earth heard of his wisdom.

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Notas al pie

  1. 1 Kings 4:33 I.e. a genus of coniferous evergreen in the family Pinaceae; and so throughout the book