King Solomon

The people of Judah and Israel

were as numerous as the sand on the seashore;

they ate, they drank and they were happy.

And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms

from the River (Euphrates) to the land of the Philistines,

as far as the border of Egypt.

These countries brought tribute

and were Solomon's subjects all his life.

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight,

and a breadth of understanding

as measureless as the sand on the seashore.

Solomon's wisdom was greater

than the wisdom of all the men of the East,

and greater tthan all the wisdom of Egypt.

He was wiser than any other man,

including Ethan the Ezrahite -

wiser than Herman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol.

And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.

He spoke three thousand proverbs

and his sons numbered a thousand and five.

He described plant life,

from the cedar of Lebanon

to the hyssop that grows out of walls.

He also taught about animals and birds,

reptiles and fish.

Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom,

sent by all the kings of the world,

who had heard of his wisdom.

(I Kings 4:20-21;29-34)