1 Kings 10:23
New International Version
King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.

New Living Translation
So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth.

English Standard Version
Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

Berean Standard Bible
So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

King James Bible
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.

New King James Version
So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

New American Standard Bible
So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in wealth and wisdom.

NASB 1995
So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

NASB 1977
So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

Legacy Standard Bible
So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

Amplified Bible
So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in wealth and in wisdom.

Christian Standard Bible
King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the world in riches and in wisdom.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the world in riches and in wisdom.

American Standard Version
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

Contemporary English Version
He was the richest and wisest king in the world.

English Revised Version
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In wealth and wisdom King Solomon was greater than all the [other] kings of the world.

Good News Translation
King Solomon was richer and wiser than any other king,

International Standard Version
As a result, King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in regards to wealth and wisdom.

Majority Standard Bible
So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

NET Bible
King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth.

New Heart English Bible
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

Webster's Bible Translation
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.

World English Bible
So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And King Solomon is greater than any of the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom,

Young's Literal Translation
And king Solomon is greater than any of the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom,

Smith's Literal Translation
And king Solomon will be magnified above all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches, and wisdom.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, king Solomon was magnified above all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

New American Bible
Thus King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

New Revised Standard Version
Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And King Solomon became greater than all Kings of Earth in wealth and in wisdom.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Solomon increased beyond all the kings of the earth in wealth and wisdom.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon's Wealth and Splendor
22For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. 23So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 24The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 9:22
So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

1 Kings 3:12-13
behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be. / Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal.

1 Kings 4:30-31
Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. / He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations.

1 Kings 5:12
And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.

1 Kings 9:22
But Solomon did not consign any of the Israelites to slavery, because they were his men of war, his servants, his officers, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and cavalry.

1 Kings 11:42-43
Thus the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. / And Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David. And his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 1:12
therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.”

Ecclesiastes 1:16
I said to myself, “Behold, I have grown and increased in wisdom beyond all those before me who were over Jerusalem, and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.”

Ecclesiastes 2:9
So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me.

Matthew 12:42
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

Luke 11:31
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

Matthew 6:29
Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.

2 Chronicles 9:23-24
All the kings of the earth sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. / Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.

1 Kings 4:34
So men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.

Proverbs 8:15-16
By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; / By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.


Treasury of Scripture

So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.

exceeded Mr.

1 Kings 3:12,13
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 4:29-34
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore…

2 Chronicles 9:22,23
And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom…

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Earth Exceeded Excelled Greater Kings Riches Solomon Wealth Wisdom
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Earth Exceeded Excelled Greater Kings Riches Solomon Wealth Wisdom
1 Kings 10
1. The queen of Sheba admires the wisdom of Solomon
14. Solomon's gold
16. His targets
18. The throne of ivory
21. His vessels
24. His presents
26. his chariots and horse
28. his tribute














So King Solomon
The name "Solomon" is derived from the Hebrew word "Shlomo," which is related to "shalom," meaning peace. Solomon's reign is often characterized by peace and prosperity, a fulfillment of God's promise to David that his son would build the temple and reign in peace. Solomon's wisdom and wealth were gifts from God, as seen in earlier chapters where God grants Solomon wisdom because he asked for it above all else (1 Kings 3:9-12).

surpassed
The Hebrew root for "surpassed" is "gadal," which means to grow, become great, or be magnified. This word indicates not just a quantitative measure but a qualitative one, suggesting that Solomon's greatness was recognized universally. His surpassing of other kings was not merely in material wealth but in the divine wisdom that God had bestowed upon him, setting him apart as a ruler.

all the kings of the earth
This phrase emphasizes the extent of Solomon's renown. The phrase "all the kings of the earth" suggests a hyperbolic expression common in ancient Near Eastern texts to denote supremacy. Historically, Solomon's kingdom was strategically located, facilitating trade and cultural exchange, which contributed to his fame. The biblical narrative underscores that Solomon's wisdom and wealth were unparalleled, drawing visitors like the Queen of Sheba, who came to test his wisdom (1 Kings 10:1-13).

in riches
The Hebrew word for "riches" is "osher," which encompasses wealth, abundance, and prosperity. Solomon's riches were not solely for personal gain but were a testament to God's blessing upon Israel. The wealth of Solomon's kingdom is detailed in the preceding verses, describing the gold, precious stones, and exotic goods that flowed into his kingdom, symbolizing God's favor and the fulfillment of His promises to Israel.

and wisdom
The Hebrew word for "wisdom" is "chokmah," which implies not only knowledge but also the skillful application of knowledge in governance and daily life. Solomon's wisdom was divinely granted, as seen in his ability to make just decisions, compose proverbs, and understand the natural world. His wisdom was a reflection of God's own wisdom, serving as a model for righteous leadership and pointing to the ultimate wisdom found in Christ, who is described as the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).

(23-25) All the kings.--These verses indicate the character of the empire of Solomon, as a loosely-compacted group of tributary states round the dominant kingdom of Israel, kept to their allegiance mainly by the ascendency of his personal wisdom and ability, partly by the ties of commercial intercourse and the attractions of his wealth and splendour, and to some degree (though in his case to a less extent than usual) by an imposing military force. It rose rapidly in the comparative abeyance of the great neighbouring empires of Egypt and Assyria, and fell as rapidly on the death of Solomon and the disruption of the kingdom. In the grand description of it in Psalms 72, we observe that while its wealth and prosperity are painted in bright colours, the chief stress is laid on its moral greatness, as a kingdom of righteousness and peace: "All kings shall fall down before him; all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth . . . He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment." Here, with the same general idea, but with a characteristic difference of expression, the chief emphasis is laid on the wisdom of Solomon, acknowledged as the gift of God (see Note on 1Kings 4:29), and being a moral and religious at least as much as an intellectual power. In this higher character it was the type of the kingdom of the true Son of David. In this, rather than in wealth and power, lay its true glory; and the falling away from this in the later days of Solomon brought at once decay and ruin.

Verse 23. - So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and wisdom [Cf. 1 Kings 3:13. "There is something ominous of evil here. Riches are put before wisdom. This was not the case in the beginning of Solomon's reign (1 Kings 3:11)" - Wordsworth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So King
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Solomon
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

surpassed
וַיִּגְדַּל֙ (way·yiḡ·dal)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

all
מִכֹּ֖ל (mik·kōl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the kings
מַלְכֵ֣י (mal·ḵê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of the earth
הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

in riches
לְעֹ֖שֶׁר (lə·‘ō·šer)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6239: Wealth

and in wisdom.
וּלְחָכְמָֽה׃ (ū·lə·ḥā·ḵə·māh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom


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OT History: 1 Kings 10:23 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 10:22
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