1 Kings 4:32

KJV

And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he spake {H1696} three {H7969} thousand {H505} proverbs {H4912}: and his songs {H7892} were a thousand {H505} and five {H2568}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs.

Berean Standard Bible

Solomon composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.

American Standard Version

And he spake three thousand proverbs; and his songs were a thousand and five.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 4:32 provides a staggering quantitative measure of King Solomon's unparalleled intellectual and artistic output, directly attributable to the divine wisdom bestowed upon him by God. It highlights his prolific capacity as both a sage and a poet, recording that he spoke three thousand proverbs and composed one thousand and five songs, thereby underscoring the extraordinary breadth and depth of his God-given sagacity and creative genius.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the culminating statement in a section that extols the unparalleled wisdom of King Solomon. Immediately preceding it, [1 Kings 4:29](/1_kings/4-29 "1 Kings 4:29 - God's Gift of Wisdom to Solomon") explicitly states that "God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore." Verses [1 Kings 4:30-31](/1_kings/4-30 "1 Kings 4:30-31 - Solomon's Wisdom Surpasses All") further elaborate on his intellectual superiority, noting that his wisdom surpassed that of all the people of the East and Egypt, and even renowned wise men like Ethan the Ezrahite and Heman. Thus, [1 Kings 4:32](/1_kings/4-32 "1 Kings 4:32 - Solomon's Prolific Literary Output") functions as a concrete, quantitative demonstration of this divinely endowed wisdom, illustrating its practical manifestation in a vast body of literary and musical works. It transitions from the abstract concept of wisdom to its tangible products, setting the stage for understanding why much of Israel's wisdom literature is traditionally associated with Solomon.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, kings were often depicted as possessing exceptional wisdom, a quality vital for effective governance, judicial decisions, and diplomatic relations. Solomon's wisdom, however, is presented as divinely sourced and far exceeding that of his contemporaries, including the famed sages of Egypt and the East. This era valued oral tradition and the composition of pithy sayings (proverbs) and songs as means of transmitting cultural values, moral instruction, and religious devotion. Scribes and wise men played crucial roles in court, advising rulers and preserving knowledge. Solomon's extensive output of proverbs and songs would have solidified his reputation not only as a powerful monarch but also as a preeminent intellectual and spiritual authority, aligning with the cultural expectation of a wise ruler while simultaneously elevating him beyond it through divine intervention.

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme highlighted in [1 Kings 4:32](/1_kings/4-32 "1 Kings 4:32 - Solomon's Prolific Literary Output") is the **Divine Endowment of Wisdom**. Solomon's extraordinary intellectual and creative capacities are not presented as inherent genius but as a direct gift from God, as detailed in [1 Kings 3:9-12](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9-12 - Solomon Asks for Wisdom"). This verse also emphasizes **Prolific Literary and Artistic Output**, showcasing the tangible results of this divine gift in the form of thousands of proverbs and songs. This output underscores the **Breadth and Depth of Wisdom**, demonstrating that true wisdom encompasses not only practical discernment (proverbs) but also aesthetic and emotional expression (songs). It foreshadows and validates the attribution of significant portions of Israel's wisdom literature, such as the [Book of Proverbs](/proverbs/1 "The Book of Proverbs") and the [Song of Solomon](/song_of_solomon/1 "The Song of Solomon"), to King Solomon, establishing his legacy as the quintessential wise man of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Proverbs (Hebrew, _māshāl'_):** The Hebrew term מָשָׁל (_mashal_) is a rich and versatile word that encompasses a wide range of literary forms, far beyond what we typically understand as a short, pithy saying. It can refer to parables, riddles, allegories, fables, satirical verses, and even prophetic utterances. At its core, a _mashal_ often involves a comparison, a similitude, or a dark saying that requires interpretation, designed to convey a profound truth or moral lesson in a memorable way. Solomon's composition of three thousand such _mashalim_ indicates an unparalleled ability to observe life, discern principles, and articulate them in forms that were both insightful and instructive, covering a vast array of human experiences and divine truths.
* **Songs (Hebrew, _shīr'_):** The Hebrew word שִׁיר (_shīr_) is a general term for a song or poem, a lyrical composition intended to be sung. It denotes a broad category of musical and poetic expression, which could include hymns of praise, laments, love songs, historical narratives, or instructional poems. The mention of "a thousand and five" songs reveals Solomon's profound artistic and creative dimension, suggesting he was not merely a pragmatic sage but also a gifted composer and poet. This highlights the holistic nature of his divinely inspired wisdom, extending beyond intellectual discernment into the realm of aesthetic and emotional expression, as exemplified by the [Song of Solomon](/song_of_solomon/1 "The Song of Solomon").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he spake three thousand proverbs:"** This clause emphasizes the immense volume and intellectual depth of Solomon's wisdom. The verb "spake" (דָּבַר, _dabar_) suggests an oral tradition, though many would have been later compiled. The number "three thousand" is a hyperbole signifying an extraordinarily vast collection, far exceeding any other known individual's output in the ancient world. It underscores his role as the preeminent sage, whose insights covered every facet of life—ethics, governance, human nature, and the divine.
* **"and his songs were a thousand and five."** This clause reveals Solomon's artistic and poetic genius, complementing his practical wisdom. The number "a thousand and five" (a slightly more precise number than "three thousand") again signifies an astonishing quantity of lyrical compositions. This demonstrates that Solomon's God-given wisdom was not confined to logical or moral pronouncements but also extended to the realm of aesthetic beauty, emotional expression, and worship, showcasing a comprehensive understanding of the human spirit and its relationship with God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Enumeration** and **Hyperbole** to convey the extraordinary nature of Solomon's wisdom and creative output. The specific numbers "three thousand" and "a thousand and five" are presented as precise counts, but their sheer magnitude functions hyperbolically, emphasizing the *vastness* and *unparalleled* nature of Solomon's literary and musical accomplishments rather than providing an exact inventory. This literary technique serves to impress upon the reader the profound extent of the divine gift of wisdom, making Solomon's capabilities seem almost limitless. The pairing of proverbs and songs also demonstrates a form of **Parallelism**, highlighting the dual nature of his wisdom—both didactic and artistic—and showcasing the comprehensive scope of his divinely inspired intellect.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 4:32 powerfully illustrates the biblical truth that all true wisdom and creative ability originate from God. Solomon's unparalleled output is not merely a testament to human genius but a direct consequence of God's generous and specific gift of wisdom, as recorded earlier in [1 Kings 3:9-12](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9-12 - Solomon Asks for Wisdom"). This verse underscores the divine source of all knowledge and skill, whether intellectual or artistic, and demonstrates that God's blessings can manifest in diverse and prolific ways. It also highlights the value God places on wisdom and its expression in forms that instruct, inspire, and bring beauty to the world, laying the foundation for understanding the significance of wisdom literature within the biblical canon.

* [Exodus 31:3](/exodus/31-3 "Exodus 31:3 - Bezalel Filled with the Spirit of God for Craftsmanship")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - God Gives Wisdom Generously")
* [Proverbs 8:22-31](/proverbs/8-22 "Proverbs 8:22-31 - Wisdom's Role in Creation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The sheer volume of Solomon's proverbs and songs in 1 Kings 4:32 serves as a profound reminder of the boundless nature of God's gifts and the potential for human flourishing when divine wisdom is embraced. It challenges us to consider how we are cultivating and utilizing the gifts and insights God has given us, whether they are intellectual, creative, or practical. Solomon's example encourages us to pursue wisdom not as an end in itself, but as a means to understand God's world, navigate life's complexities, and express truth and beauty. His prolific output suggests a life fully engaged with discerning and articulating divine principles, inspiring us to seek a comprehensive wisdom that informs both our practical decisions and our creative expressions, ultimately for God's glory and the edification of others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you most need God's wisdom, and how are you actively seeking it?**
* **How can you use your unique gifts and talents, whether intellectual or creative, to honor God and bless those around you?**
* **What does Solomon's vast literary output teach us about the breadth of God's wisdom and how it can be applied to all aspects of life?**

### FAQ
**Did Solomon truly compose 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs, or are these numbers symbolic?**

Answer: While the numbers "three thousand" and "a thousand and five" are remarkably specific, they are widely understood by scholars to be hyperbole, serving to emphasize the extraordinary and unparalleled *abundance* and *breadth* of Solomon's wisdom and literary output rather than providing an exact literal count. In ancient Near Eastern literature, large, round numbers were often used to convey greatness, immensity, or perfection. The intent is to convey that Solomon's wisdom was so vast and his creative output so prolific that it far surpassed anyone else's, making him the quintessential sage. The [Book of Proverbs](/proverbs/1 "The Book of Proverbs") as we have it contains only a fraction of this reported number, and the [Song of Solomon](/song_of_solomon/1 "The Song of Solomon") is the only complete song attributed to him in the canon. Regardless of the exact count, the verse powerfully communicates the divinely endowed nature of his wisdom and its tangible manifestations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Solomon's wisdom and prolific output were unparalleled in his time, [1 Kings 4:32](/1_kings/4-32 "1 Kings 4:32 - Solomon's Prolific Literary Output") ultimately points to a greater wisdom found in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared that "something greater than Solomon is here" ([Matthew 12:42](/matthew/12-42 "Matthew 12:42 - The Queen of the South and Jesus")), indicating that His wisdom, authority, and presence far transcend that of any earthly king or sage. Solomon's proverbs offered practical guidance for life, but Jesus, as the very embodiment of divine wisdom, offers eternal life and perfect understanding ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ Are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")). He is the ultimate "Word" ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")), the source of all truth and light, whose teachings are not merely wise sayings but life-transforming revelations from God Himself ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Words of Eternal Life")). Furthermore, while Solomon composed songs, Christ is the subject and inspiration of all true worship and the "song" of redemption sung by the redeemed throughout eternity ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The New Song")). Thus, Solomon's divinely gifted wisdom serves as a foreshadowing, preparing the way for the one who is Wisdom incarnate, the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

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

Ecclesiastes 12:9

And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, [and] set in order many proverbs.

Matthew 13:35

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Song Of Solomon 1:1

¶ The song of songs, which [is] Solomon's.

Song Of Solomon 1:17

The beams of our house [are] cedar, [and] our rafters of fir.

Proverbs 1:1

¶ The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

Proverbs 1:31

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.