Solomon's Wisdom and Wealth Described
[ READ ] 1 Kings 4:20–34
Solomon's Wealth and Wisdom
20 Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy. 21 Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22 Solomon's provision for one day was thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, 23 ten fat oxen, and twenty pasture-fed cattle, a hundred sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl. 24 For he had dominion over all the region west of the Euphrates from Tiphsah to Gaza, over all the kings west of the Euphrates. And he had peace on all sides around him. 25 And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon. 26 Solomon also had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen. 27 And those officers supplied provisions for King Solomon, and for all who came to King Solomon's table, each one in his month. They let nothing be lacking. 28 Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds they brought to the place where it was required, each according to his duty.
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, 30 so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. 32 He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. 33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. 34 And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
20 Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy. 21 Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22 Solomon's provision for one day was thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, 23 ten fat oxen, and twenty pasture-fed cattle, a hundred sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl. 24 For he had dominion over all the region west of the Euphrates from Tiphsah to Gaza, over all the kings west of the Euphrates. And he had peace on all sides around him. 25 And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon. 26 Solomon also had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen. 27 And those officers supplied provisions for King Solomon, and for all who came to King Solomon's table, each one in his month. They let nothing be lacking. 28 Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds they brought to the place where it was required, each according to his duty.
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, 30 so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. 32 He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. 33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. 34 And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
King Solomon has it all: innumerable people, land, military might, loyal officers, food, and wisdom. This prosperity doesn’t come from Solomon’s own accomplishments but rather from God’s favor and blessings over his life. “People of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon” (v. 34) because it was Godly wisdom. Solomon had it all, yet we will learn later in 1 Kings how his kingdom becomes divided by his arrogance and foolishness.
Every time I read 1 Kings it reminds me how God didn’t intend for Israel to even have a king… He wanted His people to be set apart, yet the Israelites wanted to be like the other nations. God gave them what they wanted, but at a price. While every earthly king will fail us, we know the King of Kings who will never let us down.
- Cara Fowler
Every time I read 1 Kings it reminds me how God didn’t intend for Israel to even have a king… He wanted His people to be set apart, yet the Israelites wanted to be like the other nations. God gave them what they wanted, but at a price. While every earthly king will fail us, we know the King of Kings who will never let us down.
- Cara Fowler
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ This passage is full of interesting facts about Solomon’s kingdom. What surprises you most?
+ Why is verse 25 significant? What would peace have meant to Solomon’s people at this time?
+ This passage is full of interesting facts about Solomon’s kingdom. What surprises you most?
+ Why is verse 25 significant? What would peace have meant to Solomon’s people at this time?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Have I become so comfortable living in God’s blessings that I have become arrogant like Solomon?
+ Do you need to pray for God’s wisdom today?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Have I become so comfortable living in God’s blessings that I have become arrogant like Solomon?
+ Do you need to pray for God’s wisdom today?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
God I pray you equip us with your wisdom as we go about our days today. We thank You for times of prosperity and also times of struggle because we know we can trust You. Thank you that you are a good and gracious King who will never fail us.
+ Pray with me:
God I pray you equip us with your wisdom as we go about our days today. We thank You for times of prosperity and also times of struggle because we know we can trust You. Thank you that you are a good and gracious King who will never fail us.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
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