The writers from old tell us that God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore (I Kings 4).

Solomon’s famed wisdom surpassed all the wisdom of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt. In fact, his wisdom overwhelmed that of Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol.

Wait – who were those guys?

All wise dudes. Ethan the Ezrahite wrote Psalm 89, while Heman penned Psalm 88. Certainly names I should remember, as authors of scripture. The sagacity of Calcol and Darda faded from memory long ago, but no matter, Solomon surpassed them as well.

God gave Solomon unbelievable wisdom, and wonderfully, I hold in my hands much of what he wrote in his sections of the Old Testament. The insights from the wisest mind to ever walk the planet rest on my shelf.

Which does me no good, of course, until I prove myself wise, crack open the good book, and see for myself.

1 Kings 4 in week twenty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Cliff Johnson