THE WRITINGS OF KING SOLOMONThe books written by King Solomon are part of the Writings of the Hebrew Bible. "And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five." (1 Kings 4:32). Only a few hundred of Solomon's proverbs are recorded in the book of Proverbs, and only one of his songs (known as the Song of Songs - the book of Song of Solomon) was preserved in the Bible. The contributions made to the Bible by Solomon are appropriately called Books of Wisdom.*"And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore...For he was wiser than all men..." (1 Kings 4:29,31)."And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart." (2 Chronicles 9:23).This is an important biblical fact that we should never forget: God is the ultimate source of the books of the Bible, no matter which human beings have been used by Him to write it. "All Scripture is inspired by God," wrote the apostle Paul (II Timothy 3:16, Almeida Revista e Atualizada (Revised and Updated Almeida), ARA version). Therefore, the wisdom of Solomon came from the Creator God."The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel" (Proverbs 1:1)."The proverbs of Solomon..." (Proverbs 10:1)."These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out" (Proverbs 25:1).The book of Proverbs begins with a brief introduction (Proverbs 1:1-7) followed by a long section praising the merits of wisdom. Then, in chapter 10, the main proverbs of Solomon begin, some of which were later copied by the scribes of King Hezekiah (Proverbs 25:1). The last two chapters are attributed to two other people, but Solomon is the main author of the book. These biblical proverbs are instructive words that often contrast right and wrong in a brief passage. These practical points of wisdom not only enrich our lives but also help us avoid problems. In summary, we can say that in the book of Proverbs, we have a brief guide to living life well."The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem" (Ecclesiastes 1:1)."Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13).*In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon reflected on his life and experiences. He concluded that fearing God and keeping His commandments constitute "the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13). He observed that without God life has no real meaning and that most people waste their time pursuing material possessions that will never satisfy them. He reminds us that God will eventually bring all human work to judgment (Ecclesiastes 11:9; 12:14).
The books written by King Solomon are part of the Writings of the Hebrew Bible. "And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five." (1 Kings 4:32). Only a few hundred of Solomon's proverbs are recorded in the book of Proverbs, and only one of his songs (known as the Song of Songs - the book of Song of Solomon) was preserved in the Bible. The contributions made to the Bible by Solomon are appropriately called Books of Wisdom.*"And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore...For he was wiser than all men..." (1 Kings 4:29,31)."And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart." (2 Chronicles 9:23).This is an important biblical fact that we should never forget: God is the ultimate source of the books of the Bible, no matter which human beings have been used by Him to write it. "All Scripture is inspired by God," wrote the apostle Paul (II Timothy 3:16, Almeida Revista e Atualizada (Revised and Updated Almeida), ARA version). Therefore, the wisdom of Solomon came from the Creator God."The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel" (Proverbs 1:1)."The proverbs of Solomon..." (Proverbs 10:1)."These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out" (Proverbs 25:1).The book of Proverbs begins with a brief introduction (Proverbs 1:1-7) followed by a long section praising the merits of wisdom. Then, in chapter 10, the main proverbs of Solomon begin, some of which were later copied by the scribes of King Hezekiah (Proverbs 25:1). The last two chapters are attributed to two other people, but Solomon is the main author of the book. These biblical proverbs are instructive words that often contrast right and wrong in a brief passage. These practical points of wisdom not only enrich our lives but also help us avoid problems. In summary, we can say that in the book of Proverbs, we have a brief guide to living life well."The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem" (Ecclesiastes 1:1)."Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13).*In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon reflected on his life and experiences. He concluded that fearing God and keeping His commandments constitute "the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13). He observed that without God life has no real meaning and that most people waste their time pursuing material possessions that will never satisfy them. He reminds us that God will eventually bring all human work to judgment (Ecclesiastes 11:9; 12:14).