“Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it.
But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?”
Job 28:1, 12
The Message of the Middle Books
In the center of a King James Bible are the Wisdom Books, called the ‘writings’ pronounced, ‘Kethubim,’ in Jewish tradition. They are the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. They are quoted many times in the New Testament, and the Lord Jesus after his resurrection wrapped all the books together under “the psalms” (Luke 24:44) since all of them are written in metrical prose and some in poetry in both English and Hebrew (for an example, see Psalm 19:7-11).
These books contain specific truths to encourage a certain appreciation for God’s character. Job’s message is bless God. The Psalms’ message is praise God. Proverbs’ is know God. Ecclesiastes says to fear God. Lastly, the Song of Solomon’s message is love God. Each message overlaps somewhat with the others, yet they are each declared distinctly in the five wisdom books.
It is worth noting that Solomon is declared by Jesus to have been extremely wise. “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” (Matthew 12:42) It is a common teaching that the wisdom books were assimilated by Solomon. In addition to writing 3 of them, his administration worked to compile the others. Much searching was required to find the most ancient of all literature (Job) and the scattered notes of a shepherd’s songbook (Psalms). Solomon knew how precious wisdom was.
“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!“
Proverb 16:16
Get Wisdom
Wisdom then, like gold, must be extracted, combined, and refined. If it is to be got, it must be sought. So we ask with Job, “But where shall wisdom be found?”
The mission statement of Solomon in the Proverbs is very specific to this query: “To know wisdom.” (Prov. 1:2a) His purpose in compiling all of his thoughts in one place was to discover and distil wisdom for future generations. The word “proverb” is from Latin, literally, “a word set forth.” A proverb defined in Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language is “A short sentence often repeated, expressing a well known truth or common fact, ascertained by experience or observation; a maxim of wisdom.” The 31-chaptered book of the Bible is an encyclopedia of such sentences.
Take for example, some popular sayings from Proverbs:
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors is safety.”1
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”2
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.“3
“Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?”4
The Book of Proverbs then is a good place to find wisdom. God appeared to Solomon shortly after he took the throne and offered to give him whatever he asked. God offered because of His love for David. Solomon requested to be given an understanding heart. The Lord replied,
“And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 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.”
1 Kings 3:11-12
So we may look to Solomon’s Proverbs for wisdom. But as we read, there is a marvelous truth: not all the proverbs in the Proverbs are Solomon’s. He did not originate every truth in the Book, but he did “discern” (see above) them. Thus, it is not only a good place to find wisdom, but also where to find wisdom.
Where did Solomon find his wisdom? Here are 4 sources given in the book.
1. The Wisdom of a Mother- Proverbs 31
“The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.” (31:1)
This entire chapter comes from Solomon’s mother. “King Lemuel” is a name of Solomon that you find means, “belonging to God.” If you recall the circumstances of Solomon’s birth, how Bathsheba lost her firstborn son as judgment for David’s sin, and how David comforted her by taking her as his wife, you will see how she viewed his life as ‘belonging to God.’
Which means that the final piece of his wisdom came from his maligned mother. Bathsheba is synonymous with home-wrecker and seductress according to most. But God used her to raise the wisest man who would ever live. God inspired some of her words for us in a chapter that models not a harlot, but the virtuous woman.
Wisdom can be found in mother’s words. Regardless of the type of mother, any woman who tries to care for her children and husband is capable of keen insights. Call it their sixth sense, eyes in the back of their heads, or simply mothers’ intuition; we know that in our search to “get wisdom” we may look at mother’s words.
2. The Wisdom of Private Counsel- Proverbs 30
“The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,” (30:1-2)
Although some think that “Agur” is a name for Solomon, we have no indication that David ever bore another name, “Jakeh.” Also, this chapter is set apart because of the audience. Whereas Solomon spoke to his son, Rehoboam, primarily, this chapter is a private conversation between three men. A conversation that would have been lost to time, were it not for the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and the inquisition of Solomon.
Some of the most profound direction in your life will come from unpopular sources; unglamorous scenes. A coworker pulls you aside for a few seconds, and it saves your job. A teacher writes a compliment at the top of a test paper; it shapes your career. You ask a friend what they think; their brutal honesty rescues your marriage.
Wisdom can certainly be found in obscure places. The ‘best-seller’ list is not often the ‘best-advice’ list. There is some cloth-covered, hard-bound book in a back room that will help you much more than a flashy paperback ever can.
3. The Wisdom of a Personal Journal- Proverbs 25-29
“These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.” (25:1)
As an heir in David’s royal line, Hezekiah was entitled to the Scriptures. They had been committed to the Levites for use at the Temple. But they were also reserved for the king’s use, if he would begin as the Lord commanded him to in Moses’ law.
“And it shall be, when he sitteth on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests and the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statues, to do them:”
Deuteronomy 17:18
The bulk of the Book of Proverbs was well-known in the Israel. But when Hezekiah began to reign it appears in the hitherto unpublished writings of Solomon that 138 more proverbs were copied out for the first time. More than 200 years after Solomon’s death, his unpublished journal was appropriated, forevermore included in Scripture.
I think Solomon kept them secret on purpose, hiding them away for only the most diligent to find. He says, “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” (25:2) What an honour for Hezekiah to seek, and to find!
Now these being hid away makes me think they were personal notes-to-self. I envision King Solomon always keeping a notebook handy to jot down ideas that came to him. The phenomenon of a “paper-napkin genius” originated much earlier than the 19th century!
How often can words, meant for no one else but the writer, draw out the heart of an unintended reader. Much emotion is conveyed in such thoughts. Much honesty can be had when the audience and the speaker know each other so well.
4. The Wisdom of a Father- Proverbs 4-9
“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father’s [David’s] son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother [Bathsheba]. He taught me also, and said unto me, …” (4:1-4a)
Here is an astounding formation in Scripture. Solomon introduces His book in chapters 1-3. The what, why, and how are presented and planned. And the first person he wants his son to remember? His grandfather, David.
It has taken me too long to recognize the blessing of having my father around to interact with my kids. But any time they wonder why I am the way I am, I remember what I learned from Dad. Those experiences made me, and I don’t want to change a thing for my kids- they need exactly what I got.
So Solomon introduces Rehoboam to the greatest man he knew. And he doesn’t just give him a nod, a quaint quote or two, no! What begins in chapter 4 continues in a developing train of thought, and from a uniquely Davidic point-of-view (see 5:20, 6:1-3, 6:32, and 8:34) for six whole chapters! The obvious transition comes in 10:1 where it picks up as: “The proverbs of Solomon.”
(We meditated on the idea back in 2024. See: “Fireside: The Proverbs of David”)
Now, you may disagree, but don’t throw it out until you think about it. I realize that would mean a huge chunk of the Proverbs of Solomon came from David. That supposition does not question Solomon’s authorship, rather it supports it. Every quality book has a bibliography of sources that contribute to the work. What we see are four earthly resources used to get wisdom.
Additionally, if we consider the other outside sources– Bathsheba and Agur– and their contributions, we would have to admit that over 25% of the whole book did not originate in Solomon. All he did was to find the sayings and write them down. Solomon had to be given wisdom to recognize true wisdom.
“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.”
James 1:5
What I trust you’ve realized is the purpose of this Reload from the beginning. God taught us not only wisdom, but where to look to find it in our lives. The Scripture’s wisdom is foundational, but it finds much development as we look through It to mothers, fathers, private counsels, and personal writings.
Just as there is a place for gold, and a place for silver, so there is a place for wisdom. Go get it!
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