So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
Parallel translations
- WEB So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
- KJV So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.
- NKJV So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
- NASB So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in wealth and wisdom.
- NLT So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in both riches and wisdom. It is the summary statement of his unequaled greatness.
Overview
This verse caps the account of Solomon's glory: no monarch could match him in either wealth or wisdom, the twin gifts God had promised (3:12-13). His preeminence was wholly a gift from the LORD. Such fullness of blessing under the Davidic king anticipates the One greater than Solomon, in whom true wisdom and unsearchable riches are perfectly and eternally found (Matthew 12:42; Colossians 2:3).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- 1 Kgs 3:12–13behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been nor will ever be another like you.
- Col 2:2–3that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,
- 2 Chr 9:22–23So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
- 1 Kgs 4:29–34And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore.
- Col 1:18–19And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.
- Eph 3:8Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
- Ps 89:27I will indeed appoint him as My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Solomon's glory, wisdom, and temple where God's presence dwells are a shadow of the greater Son of David — 'one greater than Solomon is here' — and of the true Temple, Christ himself.
How 1 Kings 10:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.