1 Kings 10:24

KJV

And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

KJV (with Strong's)

And all the earth {H776} sought {H1245} to {H6440} Solomon {H8010}, to hear {H8085} his wisdom {H2451}, which God {H430} had put {H5414} in his heart {H3820}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All the earth sought to have an audience with Shlomo, in order to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

Berean Standard Bible

The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.

American Standard Version

And all the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 10:24 captures the zenith of King Solomon's global renown, underscoring that his extraordinary wisdom, which attracted people from across the known world, was a direct and profound divine endowment from God. This verse highlights the immense impact of God's blessing on a leader who prioritized seeking divine wisdom, resulting in unprecedented international recognition and a period of flourishing prosperity for Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a climactic summary statement within the detailed account of Solomon's reign, immediately following the elaborate description of the Queen of Sheba's visit in [1 Kings 10:1-13](/1_kings/10-1-13 "1 Kings 10:1-13 - The Queen of Sheba's Visit to Solomon"). Her arduous journey from the "ends of the earth" to test Solomon's wisdom and witness his opulent kingdom is presented as the primary example of "all the earth" seeking him out. The preceding verses in [1 Kings 10](/1_kings/10 "1 Kings 10 - Solomon's Wealth and Wisdom") meticulously detail his immense wealth, the splendor of his court, and the vastness of his kingdom, all of which are depicted as tangible manifestations of the divine wisdom that underpinned his rule. Thus, [1 Kings 10:24](/1_kings/10-24 "1 Kings 10:24 - All the Earth Sought Solomon's Wisdom") acts as a profound theological conclusion, attributing the entirety of his success and fame directly to God's miraculous gift.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) represents a golden age for ancient Israel, marked by unparalleled peace, prosperity, and significant international influence. Strategically situated at the crossroads of major trade routes, Israel under Solomon became a prominent hub for commerce, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. In the ancient Near East, a king's wisdom was not merely an intellectual attribute but a vital component of effective governance, encompassing judicial discernment, strategic planning, and the ability to maintain societal order and prosperity. While kings often sought counsel from other wise rulers or sages, Solomon's reputation transcended typical diplomatic exchanges. The fact that individuals from distant lands were motivated solely by the desire to "hear his wisdom" indicates that his insight was considered a unique and exceptionally valuable commodity in that era, setting him apart from contemporary monarchs.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 10:24](/1_kings/10-24 "1 Kings 10:24 - All the Earth Sought Solomon's Wisdom") powerfully reinforces several overarching themes within the book of 1 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Wisdom** as the indispensable foundation of righteous and prosperous leadership. This wisdom is presented not as inherent genius but as a supernatural endowment, directly fulfilling God's promise to Solomon after his humble request for discernment to govern God's people (cf. [1 Kings 3:9-13](/1_kings/3-9-13 "1 Kings 3:9-13 - Solomon Asks for Wisdom")). This underscores God's active involvement in the affairs of His chosen king. Another significant theme is **Global Recognition and Blessing**, demonstrating how God's favor on Israel and its king led to widespread international respect and influence, making Jerusalem a renowned center of learning and diplomacy. Lastly, the verse highlights the **Value of Discernment**, illustrating that people, even from distant lands, recognized and highly prized true understanding and sound judgment, willing to undertake arduous journeys simply to access it.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sought (Hebrew, _bâqash'_):** This verb (H1245) signifies an active and diligent pursuit, implying a deep desire and intentional effort to "search out" or "enquire" after something of great value. It suggests people were not merely curious but earnestly "seeking" and "requiring" Solomon's wisdom, undertaking significant journeys and expense to do so. This goes beyond casual interest, indicating a profound recognition of the worth of what Solomon possessed.
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** This term (H2451) refers to more than intellectual knowledge; it is "wisdom in a good sense," encompassing practical skill, discernment, sound judgment, and the ability to govern and live rightly. For Solomon, it included his extraordinary capacity for judicial decisions, strategic governance, and understanding of the natural world, all rooted in divine insight.
* **Heart (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** In ancient Hebrew thought, the "heart" (H3820) is not merely the seat of emotions but the core of one's being, encompassing the "intellect," "will," and moral character. When God "put wisdom in his heart," it signifies an internal, transformative gift that permeated Solomon's entire person, shaping his "mind," "understanding," and decisions at the deepest level. It was an intrinsic, central aspect of his identity, not just an external skill.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all the earth sought to Solomon":** This clause emphasizes the universal scope of Solomon's fame and influence. "All the earth" is a hyperbole signifying the known world or the vast extent of the surrounding nations, indicating that his reputation had spread far beyond the borders of Israel. The active verb "sought" (Hebrew _bâqash_) conveys a deliberate, earnest, and often arduous pursuit, not merely passive interest. People actively traveled to Jerusalem to engage with him.
* **"to hear his wisdom":** This phrase clarifies the primary motivation for people's journeys to Solomon. It was not primarily for trade, political alliance, or military aid, but specifically to gain access to his profound insight and understanding. This highlights the extraordinary value placed on wisdom in the ancient world, especially when embodied by a king. It suggests that Solomon's wisdom offered practical solutions, judicial clarity, and perhaps even spiritual insight that was unavailable elsewhere, making him a unique resource.
* **"which God had put in his heart":** This crucial concluding clause reveals the ultimate source of Solomon's unparalleled wisdom. It explicitly attributes his extraordinary gift not to his own intellect or education, but to a divine endowment. The phrase "put in his heart" signifies an internal, spiritual gift that became an integral part of his being, shaping his thoughts, decisions, and understanding. This divine origin elevates Solomon's wisdom beyond mere human genius, establishing it as a manifestation of God's favor and power.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices to convey Solomon's unparalleled renown. The phrase "all the earth sought to Solomon" is a clear example of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the widespread and unparalleled nature of Solomon's fame and influence, extending far beyond the literal geographical confines of the entire globe. This exaggeration effectively conveys the magnitude of his reputation. The verse also utilizes **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche** by using "earth" to represent the people and nations of the known world. Furthermore, the explicit statement that God "had put [wisdom] in his heart" functions as a powerful form of **Divine Attribution**, directly crediting God as the ultimate source of Solomon's extraordinary abilities, thereby elevating the narrative beyond a mere chronicle of human achievement to a profound testament of divine blessing and intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 10:24 serves as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in granting wisdom to those who seek Him, particularly for the purpose of righteous leadership. It underscores the Old Testament principle that true wisdom originates from God and is a divine gift that enables effective governance and brings honor not only to the individual but also to the nation. Solomon's reign, marked by this God-given wisdom, became a beacon of divine blessing and a demonstration of the benefits of a kingdom ordered by God's principles. This verse also foreshadows the ultimate source of all wisdom found in the person of Jesus Christ, who is greater than Solomon.

* [1 Kings 3:9](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9 - Solomon's Request for Wisdom")
* [1 Kings 4:29-34](/1_kings/4-29-34 "1 Kings 4:29-34 - God Gives Solomon Wisdom and Understanding")
* [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 10:24 offers profound lessons for believers today, reminding us that true wisdom is not merely intellectual accumulation or worldly cleverness but a divine gift, essential for navigating life's complexities and leading with integrity. Just as God endowed Solomon with the discernment needed to govern His people, He is willing to grant wisdom to all who humbly ask (cf. [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Ask God for Wisdom")). This verse challenges us to prioritize seeking God's wisdom above worldly riches or fleeting fame, recognizing that it is the ultimate resource for sound judgment, effective decision-making, and living a life that honors Him. When God-given wisdom is applied, it has the power to impact not only our personal lives but also to influence our communities and spheres of influence for good, drawing others to the source of all truth and demonstrating the transformative power of a life guided by divine insight.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you most in need of God's wisdom today?**
* **How does recognizing God as the ultimate source of wisdom change your approach to decision-making and problem-solving?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more diligently "seek" God's wisdom in your daily life, beyond mere intellectual pursuit?**
* **How might God's wisdom, working through you, draw others to Him, similar to how people were drawn to Solomon?**

### FAQ
**Was Solomon's wisdom entirely unique, or can believers today also receive such wisdom from God?**

Answer: While Solomon's wisdom was unique in its scope and application for ruling a kingdom, leading to international fame and prosperity, the principle of God granting wisdom to His people is not exclusive to him. The Bible teaches that God generously gives wisdom to all who ask in faith (cf. [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - God Gives Wisdom Generously")). However, the *nature* of the wisdom may differ; Solomon's was specifically for governing a nation and discerning complex judicial matters. For believers today, God's wisdom empowers us for righteous living, discerning His will, making sound decisions in our personal and professional lives, and effectively serving in our callings within the church and the world. It is a wisdom that guides us in practical righteousness and spiritual understanding, rooted in the fear of the Lord (cf. [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Kings 10:24, with its depiction of "all the earth" seeking Solomon's wisdom, serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the ultimate and perfect wisdom embodied in Jesus Christ. While Solomon's wisdom was a divine gift, enabling him to govern and bring a measure of peace and prosperity, it was ultimately limited and imperfect, as evidenced by his later moral failures and the eventual division of his kingdom. Jesus, however, is not merely a recipient of wisdom but the very [incarnation of divine wisdom](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God"). In Him, "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ Are All Treasures of Wisdom")). The Queen of Sheba traveled a great distance to hear Solomon, but Jesus Himself declares that "a greater than Solomon is here" ([Matthew 12:42](/matthew/12-42 "Matthew 12:42 - A Greater Than Solomon is Here")), inviting all people, from every nation, to come to Him for eternal life and true understanding. His wisdom is not just for governance but for salvation, offering the path to reconciliation with God and eternal life, a wisdom that Solomon's reign could only dimly reflect.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 3:28

And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God [was] in him, to do judgment.

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

1 Kings 3:12

Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

Daniel 2:23

I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast [now] made known unto us the king's matter.

Proverbs 2:6

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding.

1 Kings 3:9

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

Daniel 2:21

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: