1 Kings 4:29-34

1 Kings 4:29-34

[29] And God  gave  Solomon  wisdom  and understanding  exceeding  much,  and largeness  of heart,  even as the sand  that is on the sea  shore.  [30] And Solomon's  wisdom  excelled  the wisdom  of all the children  of the east country,  and all the wisdom  of Egypt.  [31] For he was wiser  than all men;  than Ethan  the Ezrahite,  and Heman,  and Chalcol,  and Darda,  the sons  of Mahol:  and his fame  was in all nations  round about.  [32] And he spake  three  thousand  proverbs:  and his songs  were a thousand  and five.  [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.  [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. 

What does 1 Kings 4:29-34 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Here is more evidence that God gave Solomon wisdom (Heb. hokmah) as He had promised ( 1 Kings 3:12). He was one of the outstanding sages of the ancient world. [1] What Solomon received was the ability to make correct decisions. Even though he possessed this ability he did not always choose to use it. He made some very foolish decisions in his lifetime. The men of the East (cf. Job 1:3) and Egypt ( 1 Kings 4:30) were famous for their wisdom in the ancient biblical world.
Solomon"s literary output was prolific ( 1 Kings 4:32). His name appears on two of the psalms in the Book of Psalm ( Psalm 72; Psalm 127), and he also evidently wrote the Books of Proverbs ,, Ecclesiastes , and Song of Solomon. 1 Kings 4:34 is hyperbole. The writer meant that Solomon"s court was open to all and that as a wise man he attracted many important visitors. [2]
This chapter shows God"s response to Solomon"s dedication to Yahweh ( 1 Kings 3:6-13). Even though Solomon was God"s elect, he had the opportunity either to respond properly to God"s grace, and experience further blessing, or to respond improperly to it and experience chastening. This is a choice God gives all His elect. Solomon made the wise choice at first but later did not do as well. Solomon"s descendant, Jesus Christ, made the perfect response.