Solomon

Portrait of Solomon

The son of David who ruled Israel at the height of its power, Solomon received from the Lord an unparalleled gift of wisdom that shaped his reign and writings for generations to come. In Proverbs he sets forth the fear of the Lord as the beginning of knowledge, guiding believers toward practical righteousness, while Ecclesiastes soberly examines the emptiness of earthly pursuits apart from God and the Song of Solomon celebrates the beauty of covenant love. His building of the temple established a lasting center for worship and sacrifice, advancing the redemptive story by providing a visible sign of God's dwelling with his people until the coming of Christ.

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Books written: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon

Read Through Solomon's Writings

51 chapters total

Proverbs

1 The Beginning of Knowledge 2 The Value of Wisdom 3 Trust in the Lord 4 A Father's Instruction 5 Warning Against Adultery 6 Warnings Against Folly 7 The Seduction of the Adulteress 8 Wisdom's Call 9 Wisdom's Feast 10 Proverbs of Solomon 11 Honesty and Righteousness 12 The Way of the Righteous 13 Wisdom and Discipline 14 The Wise and the Foolish 15 A Gentle Answer 16 The Lord Directs Our Steps 17 Peace and Prudence 18 The Power of the Tongue 19 Wealth and Poverty 20 Wine and Wisdom 21 The Lord Weighs the Heart 22 A Good Name 23 Sayings of the Wise 24 More Sayings of the Wise 25 More Proverbs of Solomon 26 Fools and Sluggards 27 Friendship and Prudence 28 The Righteous and the Wicked 29 Discipline and Justice 30 The Words of Agur 31 The Virtuous Woman

Ecclesiastes

1 Everything Is Meaningless 2 The Futility of Pleasure 3 A Time for Everything 4 Oppression and Toil 5 Stand in Awe of God 6 The Futility of Wealth 7 Wisdom and Folly 8 Obey the King 9 A Common Destiny 10 Wisdom and Foolishness 11 Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters 12 Remember Your Creator

Song of Solomon

1 The Bride's Longing 2 The Beloved's Visit 3 The Bride's Dream 4 The Bridegroom Praises the Bride 5 The Bride Seeks Her Beloved 6 The Beauty of the Bride 7 The Bridegroom's Admiration 8 The Power of Love

Key Passages

Trust in the Lord

Proverbs 3:5-6

T5rust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

A Time for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

T1o every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

The Virtuous Woman

Proverbs 31:10-31

W10ho can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchantsโ€™ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.