These are Solomon's proverbs: Wise children make their fathers proud of them; foolish ones bring their mothers grief.

Here are more of Solomon's proverbs, copied by scribes at the court of King Hezekiah of Judah.

He was the wisest of all men: wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame spread throughout all the neighboring countries.

He composed three thousand proverbs and more than a thousand songs.

But because the Philosopher was wise, he kept on teaching the people what he knew. He studied proverbs and honestly tested their truth.

"I have used figures of speech to tell you these things. But the time will come when I will not use figures of speech, but will speak to you plainly about the Father.

Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba. He had intercourse with her, and she bore a son, whom David named Solomon. The LORD loved the boy

and commanded the prophet Nathan to name the boy Jedidiah, because the LORD loved him.

Solomon succeeded his father David as king, and his royal power was firmly established.

He did, however, make me a promise. He said, 'You will have a son who will rule in peace, because I will give him peace from all his enemies. His name will be Solomon, because during his reign I will give Israel peace and security.

He gave me many sons, and out of them all he chose Solomon to rule over Israel, the LORD's kingdom.

He died at a ripe old age, wealthy and respected, and his son Solomon succeeded him as king.