31<\/strong>. Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman<\/em> ] Ethan and Heman are among the names of the singers (1Ch 15:19<\/span>) appointed by David when the ark was brought up to the city of David, but there is no possibility of deciding whether those are the men alluded to here. In 1 Chronicles (1Ki 15:17<\/span>) Ethan is called the son of Kushaiah, and the son of Kishi (1Ch 6:44<\/span>), and Heman is, in the latter chapter (1Ki 4:33<\/span>), called the son of Joel. See the next note.<\/p>\n Chalcol<\/em> ] The better orthography is Calcol<\/strong> which A.V. gives for the same name in 1Ch 2:6<\/span>. In that passage we find (with a slight modification of the last) the four names of this verse all mentioned as sons of Zerah, the son of Judah. These would therefore be greatgrandsons of Jacob. The difference between the name Darda and Dara (of 1Ch 2:6<\/span>) may be due only to a slip of the transcriber. But no tradition has survived which tells of the special wisdom of this family, nor can we connect the name Mahol<\/em>, as the father of some of them at least is here called, with Zerah<\/em>. But the occurrence of the four names together in one family inclines to the opinion that these men were the men spoken of here. Their fame, even if not at first great, may have grown so during the time between Judah and Solomon.<\/p>\n in all nations<\/em> ] We know that it had reached the queen of Sheba. See chap. 10.<\/p>\n It is most probable that the persons with whom Solomon is compared were contemporaries, men noted for wisdom, though there is no other mention of them.<\/P> His fame was in all nations – <\/B>See below, 1 Kings 10<\/span>.<\/P> <\/p>\n Verse 31<\/span>. He was wiser than all men<\/B><\/I>] He was wiser than any of those who were most celebrated in his time, among whom were the four after mentioned, viz., Ethan, Heman, Chalcol<\/I>, and Darda<\/I>. Ethan was probably the same as is mentioned in some of the Psalms, particularly Ps 89:1<\/span>, title; and among the singers in 1Ch 6:42<\/span>. There is a Heman<\/I> mentioned in the title to Ps 88:1<\/span>. In 1Ch 2:6<\/span> we have all the four names, but they are probably not the same persons, for they are there said to be the sons of Zerah<\/I>, and he flourished long before Solomon’s time.<\/P> <\/P> Some suppose that beney machol<\/I> should be rendered masters of dancing<\/I> or music<\/I>, as machol<\/I> signifies not only a dance<\/I> or choir<\/I>, but also an instrument of music<\/I> of the pipe<\/I> kind. Perhaps a reference is here made to Solomon’s skill in music<\/I> and poetry<\/I>, as he is compared to persons who appear to have been eminent poets<\/I> and musicians<\/I>.<\/P> <\/p>\n Wiser than all men; <\/B>either of his nation, or of his time, or of all times and nations, whether of the east or any other country, excepting only the first and Second Adam. <\/P> Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman; <\/B>Israelites of eminent wisdom, probably the same mentioned 1Ch 2:6<\/span>; 15:19<\/span>; 25:4<\/span>; Psa 88:1<\/span>; 89:1<\/span>. <\/P> Chalcol and Dorda<\/B> of whom see 1Ch 2:6<\/span>. <\/P> The sons of Mahol.<\/B> <\/P> Object.<\/B> All these four were the sons of Zerah<\/I>, 1Ch 2:6<\/span>, or of Ezrah<\/I>, as others call him. <\/P> Answ.<\/B> Either the same man had two names, Zerah<\/I> and Mahol<\/I>, which was common amongst the Jews; and he might be called Mahol<\/I> from his office or employment; for that signifies a dance<\/I>, or a pipe<\/I>; and he was expert in musical instruments, and so were his sons, 1Ch 15:17-19<\/span>, who possibly may here be called, by a vulgar Hebraism, sons of the musical instrument<\/I>, from their dexterity in handling it, as upon another account we read of the daughters of music<\/I>, Ecc 12:4<\/span>. <\/P> <\/p>\n 31. wiser than all men<\/B>thatis, all his contemporaries, either at home or abroad. <\/P> than Ethan<\/B>or Jeduthun,of the family of Merari (1Ch 6:44<\/span>).<\/P> Heman<\/B> (1Ch15:17-19<\/span>) the chief of the temple musicians and the king’sseers (1Ch 25:5<\/span>); the other twoare not known. <\/P> the sons of Mahol<\/B>eitheranother name for Zerah (1Ch 2:6<\/span>);or taking it as a common noun, signifying a dance, a chorus, “thesons of Mahol” signify persons eminently skilled in poetry andmusic.<\/P><\/p>\n For he was wiser than all men<\/strong>,…. Not only that lived in his time, but in ages past since the fall of Adam, and in times to come, especially in natural wisdom and knowledge, in all the branches of it; for though some men excel in some part of knowledge, yet not in all, as Solomon did:<\/p>\n than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol<\/strong>; men of the same names are said to be sons of Zerah, grandson of Judah, 1Ch 2:6<\/span>; wherefore these are either other men, or their father had two names; or Mahol here may be an appellative, and describe the character of these then, and point at what they were famous for, as that they were sons of music, piping, and dancing, as Mahol may signify; the Jews have a tradition o, that Ethan is Abraham, and Heman Moses, and Chalcol Joseph:<\/p>\n and his fame was in all nations round about<\/strong>; not for his riches and grandeur only, but chiefly for his wisdom.<\/p>\n o Hieron. Trad. Heb. in 2 Reg. fol. 80. 1.<\/p>\n (31) He<\/strong> was wiser.<\/strong>The wisdom of Heman, Ethan, Chalcol, and Darda, then rivals of Solomons fame, is now only known to us from this passage. In the genealogy of 1Ch. 2:6<\/span>, Ethan, Heman, Chalcol, and Dara (or Darda) are found as sons of Zerah, the son of Judah; and the coincidence is remarkable enough to suggest identification. But this identification can scarcely hold. This passage evidently implies that these rivals of Solomon were contemporary with him, not belonging, therefore, to a family many generations earlier. Now it happens that we know of a Heman and an Ethan (see 1Ch. 6:33<\/span>; 1Ch. 6:44<\/span>) set by David over the service of song in the Tabernacle, and called Ezrahites in the titles of Psalms 88, 89 ascribed to them. Heman is, moreover, designated as the kings seer in the words of the Lord (1Ch. 25:5<\/span>); and his Psalm (Psalms 88<\/span>) is singularly full of thought, moral speculation, and sense of mystery in life and death. Chalcol and Darda are described as sous of Machol. The word Machol <\/em>may be a proper name. But it is curious that it signifies dance, or music; and it is at least possible that they also, like Heman and Ethan, may have been thus designated, as connected with the music of the Temple. However this may be, it can hardly be wrong, in spite of the repetition of the group of names, to refer this passage to this Heman and this Ethan, and hold Chalcol and Darda to be, like them, contemporaries with Solomon.<\/p>\n 31<\/strong>. <\/strong> Ethan Heman Chalcol Darda <\/strong> These men were well known and distinguished for wisdom in Solomon’s time, but to what age they belonged, and to what nation, is by no means clear. They would seem to be identical with the sons of Zerah mentioned in 1Ch 2:6<\/span>. The eighty-ninth Psalm is ascribed to Ethan, the Ezrahite. <\/p>\n Sons of Mahol <\/strong> This seems to oppose the supposition that these wise men are identical with the names of 1Ch 2:6<\/span>; but , mahol, <\/em> often elsewhere means a dance, <\/em> and some have conjectured that the meaning here is, sons of the dance.<\/p>\n 1Ki 4:31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.<\/p>\n Ver. 31. For he was wiser than all men.<\/strong> ] Far beyond Socrates, whom Apollo pronounced the wisest of men. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman.<\/strong> ] These were famous in their generations for wisdom and learning. Psa 88:1<\/span> ; Psa 89:1<\/span><\/em> , titles<\/em> Of these, haply, it was then held and said, as a modern writer saith of Tacitus and Pliny, Literarum nomina sunt, non hominum,<\/em> they are rather learning itself than learned. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n And his fame was in all nations.<\/strong> ] As Aristotle’s was in Greece, Varo in Rome, Melanchthon’s in Germany, Dr John Reynolds’s here, whose learning and memory, saith one, were near to a miracle. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n And Chalcol, and Darda.<\/strong> ] Who lived, likely, in Solomon’s time. Felix proventus sapientum sub aspectu benigno principis sapientissimi.<\/em> So various learned men flourished in the time of our Henry II, who was for his learning surnamed Beauelerk. a<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n a<\/em> Dan 68<\/p>\n all men = any man. <\/p>\n men. Hebrew. ‘adam, with Art. (App-14) = any human being. <\/p>\n Ethan. The same four names occur among the sons of Zerah the son of Judah (1Ch 2:6), except Dara for Darda; but compare 1Ch 6:44 and 1Ch 6:33. <\/p>\n fame = name. <\/p>\n wiser: 1Ki 3:12, Mat 12:42, Luk 11:31, Col 2:3 <\/p>\n Ethan: 1Ch 15:19, Psa 89:1,*title <\/p>\n Heman: 1Ch 2:6, 1Ch 6:33, 1Ch 15:17, Psa 88:1, *title <\/p>\n his fame: 1Ki 5:7, 1Ki 10:1, 1Ki 10:6, 2Ch 9:23, Mat 4:24 <\/p>\n Reciprocal: 2Ch 9:1 – fame 2Ch 9:6 – exceedest 2Ch 9:22 – passed all the kings 2Ch 26:8 – his name Job 1:8 – none Pro 1:1 – proverbs<\/p>\n SOLOMON IN ALL HIS GLORY<\/p>\n They lacked nothing. He was wiser than all men.<\/p>\n 1Ki 4:27; 1Ki 4:31<\/p>\n We cannot but contrast Solomon and Jesus. Solomons wealth was enormous; Jesus was a poor manin the world which was made by Him, yet not having where to lay His head. Solomon was a type of worldly prosperity; Jesus was a man of sorrows, living a life which the world called an utter failure. On the other hand, Solomons light soon became tinged with darkness. Heathenism crept into his court with the wives he chose and brought there. The smoke from the holy altars of the Temple mingled with other smoke from heathen altars, erected here and there throughout the city in honour of idols. He who began with so much promise ended his life in sorrow and darkness, though, let us hope, in penitence. In contrast with all this, think of Jesus, whose life and teachings and influence remained holy and pure and Divine unto the end. A greater than Solomon is here.<\/p>\n I. The blessings of peace are very precious.In Solomons time the people dwelt safelyevery man under his vine and fig tree. There was no war to make them afraid. They went on with their work on their farms, in their homes, without fear of being disturbed by enemies breaking in upon them. We are enjoying the blessings of peace in our own country. We cannot be too thankful for this. David had fought battles and subdued the enemies of the kingdom, and Solomons peace was the fruit of what David had done. The blessings we are enjoying are the results of the sacrifices and toils of those who have gone before us. The blessings of the Christians peace are ours also, because Christ went to His cross for us. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him.<\/p>\n II. We should notice that Solomons wisdom and largeness of heart were Gods gift to him.He was called to do a certain great work for God, and God gave him the wisdom and the ability necessary for it. We should never forget that all our talents and all our powers are Gods gifts to us. If a girl has a good voice for singing, God gave it to her, and she must think of it as sacred, to be used for Him. If a young man has a gift for business, for money-making, God gave it to him, and it must be used in Gods service. If one is a poet, or an orator, or possesses any other fine endowment, it is from God, and is to be employed in Gods work. We must not think that our powers are our own. We must not boast of them as if they were. We ought to be made humble as we think of them, because they indicate our responsibility.<\/p>\n III. We must not imagine that Solomons wisdom saved him from all labour.Evidently he was a great worker. No man could have written the things which are described in verses 32 and 33 without being a most laborious worker. The gifts that God bestows upon us must be developed by us by proper training and exercise. Then we can accomplish good results with them only by incessant diligence and earnest use. Even Jesus, the wisest of all men, did not acquire knowledge without study. He applied Himself to His lessons, and learned as other boys must learn.<\/p>\n IV. We must remember, as we read of Solomons wisdom, what Jesus said about it.People came from all parts of the world to hear Solomons wise sayings. Jesus reminded His hearers that He was greater than Solomon. It has become true that all the world has listened to the voice of Jesus as the teachings of the Gospel have gone forth. But we should remember that Jesus, being the wisest teacher the world has ever had, we should go to Him continually to learn the lessons which He alone can teach us.<\/p>\n V. It is very sad to think that although Solomon began so well, with such promise and such endowments, he afterwards turned away from God.This is one of the saddest things in history. We must remember that great gifts are not enough to make a mans life finally successful. When God gave Solomon the wisdom he chose, there was a conditionthat Solomon should walk in Gods ways. Failing in this, he lost much of the blessing, and his last years were darkened by sorrow. The Book of Ecclesiastes helps us to understand what vanity the worlds riches and honour are unless ones heart be right with God.<\/p>\n Illustration<\/p>\n Here is Solomon in all his glory, in the width of his empire, in the bounty of the provision for his household, in his army, in his wisdom and knowledge, in his widespread influence over all lands. But as we turn from him to the Carpenter of Nazareth, Who had not where to lay His head, Who found His close friends among the poor, and Who ultimately laid down His life a ransom for men, who does not feel that, altogether apart from His Divine Sonship, His was the nobler ideal and the more useful career? Probably Solomon himself would have admitted this, but it is to be remembered that He has set us an example that we should follow His steps. A greater than Solomon is here; let us hear Him.<\/p>\n 1Ki 4:31. He was wiser than all men Either of his nation, or of his time: or, of all times and nations, whether of the East, or any other country, excepting only the first and second Adam. Ethan, &c. Israelites of eminent wisdom, probably the same mentioned 1Ch 2:6; 1Ch 15:19; 1Ch 25:4; Psalms 88., title, and 89., title. Chalcol, &c. Of whom see 1Ch 2:6.<\/p>\n For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. 31. Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman ] Ethan and Heman are among the names of the singers (1Ch 15:19) appointed by David when the ark … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 4:31”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8887","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8887","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8887"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8887\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8887"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8887"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8887"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible <\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"