1 Kings 4:29 - Meaning and Application

Solomon’s wisdom was a greater honor to him than his wealth, and this verse gives a general account of it.

God was the source of his wisdom (1 Kings 4:29). Solomon himself owned that truth. As Proverbs says, “The Lord gives wisdom” (Proverbs 2:6). God gives people their powers of reason (Job 38:36), keeps them in place, and strengthens them. The ordinary growth of those gifts comes through his providence, and their setting apart for holy use comes through his grace. Solomon’s unusual level of wisdom came from a special gift of God’s favor in answer to prayer.

The fullness of Solomon’s wisdom was remarkable. He had wisdom and understanding beyond measure. He knew about distant nations and the events of earlier times. He had quick thought, strong memory, and clear judgment, in a way no other man had. It is called “largeness of heart,” because the heart often stands for the mind. He had a wide reach of understanding. He could take things in as a whole and could fit details together well. Some understand this phrase to mean his courage and boldness, along with the confidence he showed in giving his decisions. Or it may mean that he was eager to use his knowledge for good. He was generous and ready to share. He had the gift of speech as well as wisdom. He was as free with his learning as he was with his food, and he did not keep either to himself.

It is a great blessing when those who have large gifts also have large hearts, so they use their gifts for the good of others. That comes from God’s hand (Ecclesiastes 2:24). He is the one who enlarges the heart (Psalm 119:32). Solomon’s greatness is shown by comparison. Chaldea and Egypt were famous for learning, and the Greeks later borrowed much from them. Yet the best scholars from those nations still fell short of Solomon (1 Kings 4:30). If nature excels art, then grace excels both. The knowledge God gives by special favor goes beyond what man gains by his own effort.

There were other wise men in Solomon’s day who were highly respected, especially Heman, and other Levites whom David used in temple music (1 Chronicles 15:19). Heman was also David’s seer, or prophet, in the matters of God’s word (1 Chronicles 25:5). Chalcol and Darda were brothers, and they too were known for learning and wisdom. But Solomon surpassed them all (1 Kings 4:30). He outdid them and left them behind. His counsel was far more valuable.

Solomon’s fame spread everywhere around him. People in all the surrounding nations talked about it. His great wealth and glory made his wisdom even more impressive, because they gave him chances to show it that poor and hidden people do not have. A jewel of wisdom shines more brightly when it is set well.

The fruit of his wisdom showed what kind of tree it was. He did not hide his gift. He showed it in two main ways.

First, he showed it in what he wrote and spoke. His writings on godly things, given by divine inspiration, are not mentioned here, because they already exist and will remain forever as monuments of his wisdom. Like the rest of Scripture, they are useful to make us wise for salvation. Beyond those, he appears as a teacher of moral wisdom, and a man of great prudence, because he spoke 3,000 proverbs, wise sayings that were of great use for daily life. The world is often guided by proverbs, and it was never better supplied with useful ones than by Solomon. It is not certain whether the proverbs we have in the Bible were part of those 3,000.

He was also a poet and a man of great wit. His songs were 1,005, though only one has been preserved in Scripture, because only that one was inspired by God. That one is called the Song of Songs. His wise teaching came in proverbs so that it could be easy to remember and ready for use at any time. It also came in songs, so that it would be pleasant and stir the heart.

He was also a student of the natural world, a man of deep learning and insight into the mysteries of nature. From his own observations and those of others, he wrote about plants and animals (1 Kings 4:33). He described their nature and qualities, and some think he also wrote about their healing uses.

Second, he showed his wisdom in his conversation. People came from every direction, especially those more eager for knowledge than their neighbors, to hear the wisdom of Solomon (1 Kings 4:34). Kings who had heard of him sent messengers to listen to him and bring back his instruction. Solomon’s court became a center of learning, a meeting place for philosophers, that is, lovers of wisdom. They all came to light their candle at his lamp and borrow from him.

Those who praise modern learning above that of earlier times should show some treasure of knowledge in our own age like what Solomon possessed. Even so, this does honor to human learning, that Solomon was praised for it. It also encourages great men to seek learning seriously, since it is so worthy of their attention.

Solomon was also a picture of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, hidden for use. Christ has been made to us wisdom from God.