We read of Solomon’s wisdom in 1 Kings 4:29-30, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.” 

We read of the impartation of this wisdom in 2 Chronicles 1:7-12, “In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.”  It seems that Solomon was already a wise man for when the Lord asked him what he wanted, he wisely asked for wisdom!

We read of the Queen of Sheba being overwhelmed by Solomon’s wisdom, riches, and power in 2 Chronicles 9:3-6, “And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom: Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard.”  The wisdom of Solomon was well-known among the nations.  2 Chronicles 9:23 tells us, “And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.” 

One of the most well-known examples of Solomon’s wisdom is found in 1 Kings 3:16-28 when two mothers contended about whose child was still alive after one of their children died in the nighttime.  In that event, Solomon offered to split the living child in half.  He understood that the true mother would prefer to lose her son to another woman than to have him killed.  His wisdom was manifested, and we read in verses 26-27, “Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.” 

Solomon’s wisdom was known through his ability to be at peace with the nations around him.  We read in 1 Kings 5:12, “And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.”

Because he was a man of war, the Lord did not allow David to build the temple (1 Chronicles 28:3).  Because of Solomon’s wisdom and loyalty, the Lord did allow Solomon to build the temple (2 Chronicles 3:1).  In reviewing Solomon’s life, we see there are many reasons why Solomon was known for his great wisdom…wisdom which the Lord had imparted to him.  (CC)  (556.4)