Read & explore together
Solomon’s wisdom is praised and his failure lamented
Sirach 47:12–22, from the Catholic additional books, praises Solomon’s wisdom, peace, and renown, then laments his failure. The passage closes by turning from human weakness to the Lord’s mercy toward Jacob and David’s family.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In this part of Sirach, the writer speaks directly about Solomon. He describes a wise son living securely, a reign of peace, famous teaching, and great wealth. Then he grieves over Solomon’s folly, the division of the sovereignty, and finally affirms that the Lord will not forsake his mercy.
Sirach 47:12–22Main takeaway
This passage shows that wisdom and honour can be damaged by folly, yet the Lord’s mercy is not erased by human failure.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Peace given for God’s houseSolomon is introduced as “a wise son” who lived in security. His peaceful reign is traced to God, who gave him rest all around.
Explanation
Solomon is introduced as “a wise son” who lived in security. His peaceful reign is traced to God, who gave him rest all around. Sirach says this peace had a purpose: that Solomon might set up a house for God’s name and prepare a sanctuary forever.
02Wisdom flowing outwardThe writer praises Solomon with vivid language. He was made wise in youth and filled “as a river with understanding”.
Explanation
The writer praises Solomon with vivid language. He was made wise in youth and filled “as a river with understanding”. That wisdom did not stay private. His influence spread through parables, riddles, songs, proverbs, and interpretations, and many countries marvelled at him.
03Fame, peace, and abundanceSirach says Solomon’s name reached far away islands and that he was loved for peace. The passage also mentions wealth gathered “by the name of the Lord God, who is called the God of Israel”.
Explanation
Sirach says Solomon’s name reached far away islands and that he was loved for peace. The passage also mentions wealth gathered “by the name of the Lord God, who is called the God of Israel”. Gold and silver are signs here of how great his reign became.
04Failure and the Lord’s mercyThe tone changes sharply. Solomon is told that he gave himself to women and was brought into subjection.
Explanation
The tone changes sharply. Solomon is told that he gave himself to women and was brought into subjection. His honour was blemished, his offspring defiled, and the sovereignty divided. Yet Sirach ends with the Lord’s mercy, a remnant for Jacob, and a root for David’s family.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which parts of Solomon’s life are praised before his failure is mentioned?
List the words about peace, wisdom, teaching, influence, and abundance in the earlier verses.
02How does Sirach describe the results of Solomon’s folly?
Notice both the personal results for Solomon and family and the political result for the kingdom.
03What does the passage say the Lord will still not do?
Read the last verse closely and note each mercy the Lord refuses to remove.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 47:12–22
12After him a wise son rose up, who because of him lived in security.
13Solomon reigned in days of peace. God gave him rest all around, that he might set up a house for his name, and prepare a sanctuary forever.
14How wise you were made in your youth, and filled as a river with understanding!
15Your influence covered the earth, and you filled it with parables and riddles.
16Your name reached to the far away islands, and you were loved for your peace.
17For your songs, proverbs, parables, and interpretations, the countries marveled at you.
18By the name of the Lord God, who is called the God of Israel, you gathered gold like tin, and multiplied silver like lead.
19You bowed your loins to women, and in your body you were brought into subjection.
20You blemished your honor, and defiled your offspring, to bring wrath upon your children. I was grieved for your folly,
21because the sovereignty was divided, and a disobedient kingdom ruled out of Ephraim.
22But the Lord will never forsake his mercy. He won’t destroy any of his works, nor blot out the posterity of his elect. He won’t take away the offspring of him who loved him. He gave a remnant to Jacob, and to David a root from his own family.