Ecclesiastes 9:13-15 - I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.
I wonder which city and which king this was. Was it a city in Israel? Did this happen during Solomon's lifetime? Was the king Solomon himself?
I wonder what the wise man did to save the city. Did he trick the king? Did he talk him out of attacking? Did he convince him that the benefits of saving the city outweighed its destruction? Was there something valuable in the city that was surrendered? Did the people agree to be servants if their city was spared? Was the city really too small to bother capturing?
And why were huge siegeworks needed against a small city in the first place?
2/26/2007
2/21/2007
Agur
Proverbs 30:1 - The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh
I wonder who Agur was. He, along with King Lemuel, are right up there with Solomon amongst the proverbial elite. Most people probably think the whole book of Proverbs belongs to Solomon, but not so. Here is Agur with his own n+1 style of wisdom.
At least in the few proverbs recorded here, we see he likes numbers. 'There are 3 things -- no, wait -- 4 things....' He's not the only writer to use this technique, and I believe it was (is?) a fairly common style in that culture.
Agur is also the one to write the well-known passage about disobedient children and overzealous birds. There's a trivia question for you!
I wonder if Agur was one of Solomon's officials.
I wonder in general how many of these writers actually did their own writing. We know that Paul used a secretary to write much of the New Testament. I wonder if Solomon sometimes used one too. I wouldn't be surprised if he did. Agur, on the other hand, seems like a guy who'd do his own writing. I don't know why I think so; I just have that feeling.
I wonder who Agur was. He, along with King Lemuel, are right up there with Solomon amongst the proverbial elite. Most people probably think the whole book of Proverbs belongs to Solomon, but not so. Here is Agur with his own n+1 style of wisdom.
At least in the few proverbs recorded here, we see he likes numbers. 'There are 3 things -- no, wait -- 4 things....' He's not the only writer to use this technique, and I believe it was (is?) a fairly common style in that culture.
Agur is also the one to write the well-known passage about disobedient children and overzealous birds. There's a trivia question for you!
I wonder if Agur was one of Solomon's officials.
I wonder in general how many of these writers actually did their own writing. We know that Paul used a secretary to write much of the New Testament. I wonder if Solomon sometimes used one too. I wouldn't be surprised if he did. Agur, on the other hand, seems like a guy who'd do his own writing. I don't know why I think so; I just have that feeling.
2/14/2007
Patience...now!
Proverbs 19:11 - A man's wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Do you know any patient people? How many? How about impatient people? In general, which are there more of? I see more impatient folk.
Since it's wisdom that gives patience, is it fair to say there's a lot of foolishness going on? Wisdom isn't the only thing that can lead to patience, so that tempers the number of fools somewhat.
The type of patience spoken of here is what's needed when you've been wronged. What's your first reaction when you've been hurt, cheated, dis'd? Do you choose to patiently overlook the offense? You may be wise to do so sometimes; it could be to your glory, your benefit.
I wonder how often Solomon got to exercise this kind of patience? What were the offenses he chose to overlook? I'm guessing some were the same ones I might -- even though he was king, and I never will be.
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Do you know any patient people? How many? How about impatient people? In general, which are there more of? I see more impatient folk.
Since it's wisdom that gives patience, is it fair to say there's a lot of foolishness going on? Wisdom isn't the only thing that can lead to patience, so that tempers the number of fools somewhat.
The type of patience spoken of here is what's needed when you've been wronged. What's your first reaction when you've been hurt, cheated, dis'd? Do you choose to patiently overlook the offense? You may be wise to do so sometimes; it could be to your glory, your benefit.
I wonder how often Solomon got to exercise this kind of patience? What were the offenses he chose to overlook? I'm guessing some were the same ones I might -- even though he was king, and I never will be.
2/12/2007
The silent fool
Proverbs 17:28 - Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.
There isn't much I wonder about in the Psalms or Proverbs, but here is one small item. I wonder how many silent fools the writer (Solomon) had met before he created this proverb. I suppose he determined that the quiet person was still a fool by his actions.
and discerning if he holds his tongue.
There isn't much I wonder about in the Psalms or Proverbs, but here is one small item. I wonder how many silent fools the writer (Solomon) had met before he created this proverb. I suppose he determined that the quiet person was still a fool by his actions.
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