1 Kings 4:31 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 4:29-34

Solomon's wisdom was more his glory than his wealth, and here we have a general account of it. I. The fountain of his wisdom: God gave it him, 1 Kgs. 4:29. He owns it himself. Prov. 2:6; The Lord giveth wisdom. He gives the powers of reason (Job 38:36), preserves and improves them. The ordinary advances of them are owing to his providence, the sanctification of them to his grace, and this extraordinary pitch at which they arrived in Solomon to a special grant of his favour to him in answer to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 4:31

For he was wiser than all men ,.... Not only that lived in his time, but in ages past since the fall of Adam, and in times to come, especially in natural wisdom and knowledge, in all the branches of it; for though some men excel in some part of knowledge, yet not in all, as Solomon did: than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol ; men of the same names are said to be sons of Zerah, grandson of Judah, 1 Chronicles 2:6 ; wherefore these are either other... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 4:31

He was wiser than all men - He was wiser than any of those who were most celebrated in his time, among whom were the four after mentioned, viz., Ethan, Heman, Chalcol, and Darda. Ethan was probably the same as is mentioned in some of the Psalms, particularly Psalm 89:1 , title; and among the singers in 1 Chronicles 6:42 . There is a Heman mentioned in the title to Psalm 88:1 . In 1 Chronicles 2:6 ; we have all the four names, but they are probably not the same persons, for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 4:31

For (Heb. and ) he was wiser than all men [Keil adds "of his time," but we have no right to restrict the words to his contemporaries (see note on 1 Kings 3:12 ). It is very doubtful whether the names mentioned presently are those of contemporaries] than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda [It is impossible to say whether these are the same persons as the Ethan and Heman and Chalcol and Dara of 1 Chronicles 2:6 , or the Ethan and Heman who were David's singers.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 4:31

The greatest, wisest, meanest of mankind. It is a spirited and glowing description which the historian here gives of Solomon's wisdom. We may believe that it was not without a pardonable pride that he recounted the rich endowments and the widespread fame of Israel's greatest monarch. But it is really one of the saddest chapters in the whole of Scripture—and one of the most instrucfive. Manifold as were his gifts, marvellous as was his wisdom, they did not preserve him from falling. It is a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 4:31

It is most probable that the persons with whom Solomon is compared were contemporaries, men noted for “wisdom,” though there is no other mention of them.His fame was in all nations - See below, 1 Kings 10:0. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 4:31

1 Kings 4:31. He was wiser than all men Either of his nation, or of his time: or, of all times and nations, whether of the East, or any other country, excepting only the first and second Adam. Ethan, &c. Israelites of eminent wisdom, probably the same mentioned 1 Chronicles 2:6; 1 Chronicles 15:19; 1 Chronicles 25:4; Psalms 88:0., title, and 89., title. Chalcol, &c. Of whom see 1 Chronicles 2:6. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 4:1-34

The administration of the kingdom (4:1-34)Details are now given of how Solomon administered Israel. First the leading religious, civil and army officials are listed (4:1-6). Solomon revised the taxation system by dividing the country into twelve zones, each of which had to provide the royal household with all its food supplies for one month of the year. These twelve zones apparently replaced the former tribal areas (7-19).Neighbouring nations that had become part of the Israelite empire also... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 4:31

all men = any man. men. Hebrew. 'adam, with Art. ( App-14 ) = any human being. Ethan. The same four names occur among the sons of Zerah the son of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:6 ), except Dara for Darda; but compare 1 Chronicles 6:44 and 1 Chronicles 6:33 . fame = name. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 4:31

31. wiser than all men—that is, all his contemporaries, either at home or abroad. than Ethan—or Jeduthun, of the family of Merari (1 Chronicles 6:44). Heman— (1 Chronicles 6:44- :) —the chief of the temple musicians and the king's seers (1 Chronicles 25:5); the other two are not known. the sons of Mahol—either another name for Zerah (1 Chronicles 2:6); or taking it as a common noun, signifying a dance, a chorus, "the sons of Mahol" signify persons eminently skilled in poetry and music. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 4:29-34

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 4:31

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 4:31

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 4:31

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 4:31

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 4:31

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 4:31

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 4:1-34

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 4:31

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 4:31

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