SOLOMON, THE "WISE MAN."

...is written, "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree." original: Isaiah 55:13 And to this we can apply the parable of the rose budding on the bramble bush.

Lastly, a righteous man has a wicked son, as it is written, "Instead of wheat, thorns came forth." (Job 31:40.) The OCR text lists Job 21:40, but the passage "thistle instead of wheat" is found in Job 31:40. And we also have the parable of the attractive peach tree which brought forth bitter fruit.

SOLOMON was a king and the son of a king; the wise son of a wise father; a righteous man’s righteous child. All the incidents in DAVID’S life and all his characteristics were paralleled in the life of SOLOMON.

DAVID reigned for forty years, as it is written, "And the days that David governed Israel were forty years."

Of SOLOMON it is written, "And SOLOMON reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years." DAVID expressed himself through "words," as it is written, "And these are the last words of David."

SOLOMON likewise expressed himself through "words."

"The words of Koheleth, the son of David." (Ecclesiastes 1:1.) Koheleth: The Hebrew name for the author of the Book of Ecclesiastes, often translated as "The Preacher" or "The Teacher."

DAVID said, "All is vanity"; as it is written, "For vanity only do all men make a noise." (Psalm 39:6.) The OCR lists Psalm 39:7, but "every man walketh in a vain shew" or "vanity" is Psalm 39:6.

SOLOMON expressed himself with the same word, "vanity." "Vanity of vanities, says Koheleth." (Ecclesiastes 1:2.)

David wrote books, namely: the five books of Psalms; and SOLOMON wrote four books: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Solomon, and The Key of Solomon.

David composed songs: "And David spoke unto the Lord the words of this song." (2 Samuel 22:1.)

SOLOMON also composed a song: "The song of songs," which is SOLOMON’S.

He was the wise king alluded to in Proverbs 16:23, "The heart of the wise makes his mouth intelligent, and increases information upon his lips." This means that the heart of the wise is full of knowledge and understanding, but this is shown to the world through the words of his mouth. By uttering the thoughts of his mind (or heart) with his lips, he increases the information available to the people. If a man possessing brilliant diamonds and precious stones keeps his jewels concealed, no one is aware of their value; but if he allows them to be seen, their worth becomes known, and the pleasure of ownership is enhanced.

Applying this comparison to the case of SOLOMON: while his wisdom was locked up in his own breast, it was of value to no one; but when he had given his four books to the world, men became acquainted with his great abilities. The words of his lips increased the information of his people, and his reputation was so great that anyone in doubt concerning the meaning of a Biblical passage sought the king for an interpretation.

He did not only raise the standard of education in sacred lore. He had mastered and taught the sciences of Natural Philosophy, Physiology, Botany, Agriculture, Mathematics in all its branches, Occultism, Astronomy, and Chemistry—in fact, all useful studies. He also taught Rhetoric. Natural Philosophy: The study of nature and the physical universe, the precursor to modern science. Occultism: The study of hidden or supernatural powers and the laws of the universe.