Verse 16

Futility of Secular Wisdom I thought to myself,“I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.”

Referenced Verses

  • Eccl 2:9 : 9 So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity:
  • 1 Kgs 4:30 : 30 Solomon was wiser than all the men of the east and all the sages of Egypt.
  • 1 Kgs 10:7 : 7 I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes. Indeed, I didn’t hear even half the story! Your wisdom and wealth surpass what was reported to me.
  • 1 Kgs 3:12-13 : 12 I grant your request, and give you a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you. 13 Furthermore, I am giving you what you did not request– riches and honor so that you will be the greatest king of your generation.
  • Isa 10:7-9 : 7 But he does not agree with this, his mind does not reason this way, for his goal is to destroy, and to eliminate many nations. 8 Indeed, he says:“Are not my officials all kings? 9 Is not Calneh like Carchemish? Hamath like Arpad? Samaria like Damascus? 10 I overpowered kingdoms ruled by idols, whose carved images were more impressive than Jerusalem’s or Samaria’s. 11 As I have done to Samaria and its idols, so I will do to Jerusalem and its idols.” 12 But when the Lord finishes judging Mount Zion and Jerusalem, then I will punish the king of Assyria for what he has proudly planned and for the arrogant attitude he displays. 13 For he says:“By my strong hand I have accomplished this, by my strategy that I devised. I invaded the territory of nations, and looted their storehouses. Like a mighty conqueror, I brought down rulers. 14 My hand discovered the wealth of the nations, as if it were in a nest, as one gathers up abandoned eggs, I gathered up the whole earth. There was no wing flapping, or open mouth chirping.”
  • Jer 22:14 : 14 He says,“I will build myself a large palace with spacious upper rooms.” He cuts windows in its walls, panels it with cedar, and paints its rooms red.
  • Ezek 38:10-11 : 10 “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil plan. 11 You will say,“I will invade a land of unwalled towns; I will advance against those living quietly in security– all of them living without walls and barred gates–
  • Dan 4:30 : 30 The king uttered these words:“Is this not the great Babylon that I have built for a royal residence by my own mighty strength and for my majestic honor?”
  • Heb 5:14 : 14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.
  • 1 Kgs 10:23-24 : 23 King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth. 24 Everyone in the world wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.
  • 2 Kgs 5:20 : 20 Gehazi, the prophet Elisha’s servant, thought,“Look, my master did not accept what this Syrian Naaman offered him. As certainly as the LORD lives, I will run after him and accept something from him.”
  • 2 Chr 1:10-12 : 10 Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.” 11 God said to Solomon,“Because you desire this, and did not ask for riches, wealth, and honor, or for vengeance on your enemies, and because you did not ask for long life, but requested wisdom and discernment so you can make judicial decisions for my people over whom I have made you king, 12 you are granted wisdom and discernment. Furthermore I am giving you riches, wealth, and honor surpassing that of any king before or after you.”
  • 2 Chr 2:12 : 12 Huram also said,“Worthy of praise is the LORD God of Israel, who made the sky and the earth! He has given King David a wise son who has discernment and insight and will build a temple for the LORD, as well as a royal palace for himself.
  • 2 Chr 9:22-23 : 22 King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth. 23 All the kings of the earth wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.
  • Ps 4:4 : 4 Tremble with fear and do not sin! Meditate as you lie in bed, and repent of your ways!(Selah)
  • Ps 77:6 : 6 I said,“During the night I will remember the song I once sang; I will think very carefully.” I tried to make sense of what was happening.