29 God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and very great understanding, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore.
behold, I have done according to your word: behold, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there has been none like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like you.
Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.
All of them come for violence. Their hordes face the desert. He gathers prisoners like sand.
As the host of the sky can't be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured; so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites who minister to me.
Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number.
I said to myself, "Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge."
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this your people, that is so great? God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of those who hate you, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king: wisdom and knowledge is granted to you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you; neither shall there any after you have the like.
All Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do justice.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Kings 4
Commentary on 1 Kings 4 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 4
An instance of the wisdom God granted to Solomon we had in the close of the foregoing chapter. In this we have an account of his wealth and prosperity, the other branch of the promise there made him. We have here,
1Ki 4:1-19
Here we have,
1Ki 4:20-28
Such a kingdom, and such a court, surely never any prince had, as Solomon's are here described to be.
1Ki 4:29-34
Solomon's wisdom was more his glory than his wealth, and here we have a general account of it.
Lastly, Solomon was, herein, a type of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and hidden for use; for he is made of God to us wisdom.