1 Kings 4:29-34 – Sustain wisdom by staying connected to God

God kept His promise and blessed Solomon richly. In 1 Kings 4:29-34, we see a summary of his accomplishment with His God-given wisdom. The discernment and wisdom he had were unsurpassed. So insightful was he that his wisdom was said to be greater than the sons of the East as well as those in Egypt. His wisdom was also greater in comparison with the known sages such as “Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol”. With this divinely endowed gift, Solomon’s fame spread far and wide.

We saw his wisdom in how he resolved the impasse presented by the two prostitutes, each claiming the live son to be theirs. Then we also saw his administrative and organizational abilities on display. He astutely managed the whole country to ensure provisions for the central government as well as his family. Solomon not only had great discernment and administrative skills, verse 32 tells us that he also had great artistic skills. He had written 3,000 proverbs and 1005 songs, many of which were found in the Books of Proverbs and the Song of Songs. Verse 33 shows us that he also had wide knowledge relating to botany, and animals of all sorts, whether they be land, air, or sea creatures. With such wisdom, verse 34 reveals that his fame spread far and wide. Kings everywhere who had learned of his wisdom would send their envoys to inquire and learn from his insight.

The source of true wisdom like that of Solomon’s can only be traced to God. It was superior in quality and large in quantity. God did not give him in drips and drabs because the depth of God’s wisdom is immeasurable. Besides, we can see that Solomon’s wisdom was not only productive, but also practical, and irresistibly attractive. How wonderful it would have been if he had stayed focused and kept his heart connected to God. Then he would not have pandered to his carnal desires. But for all the wisdom granted him, he unwittingly succumbed to his propensity. He allowed his carnal desire rather than his will to please God dominate his life. For us, we learn a lesson from his life. We take it as a call from God to keep our hearts and eyes faithfully fixed on Him. We take heed to Solomon’s words given in Proverbs 4:23. We must “watch over our heart with all diligence, for from it flows the wellspring of life.”