The Missing Proverbs of Solomon

[Faith.Man]

1 Kings 4:30 - And Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.
1 Kings 4:31 - For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations.
1 Kings 4:32 - He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.
1 Kings 4:33 - And he spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows on the wall; he spoke also of animals and birds and creeping things and fish.
1 Kings 4:34 - And men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom. [NAS 1977]

The Bible states that Solomon wrote some 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs. According to John Gill, "whether any of them are contained in this book [Proverbs] cannot be said: however, it is certain that they are not all in it, since, if you except the first "nine" chapters, which are the introduction to the Proverbs, there are but six hundred and fifty-nine verses in it; and if they are taken in, they make but nine hundred and fifteen, which are not a third part of the proverbs said to be made by him: however, here are as many and such as God thought fit should be preserved for instruction in all future ages."

So if some archaeologist someday unearths the missing proverbs of Solomon, do they become Holy Scripture? Were these proverbs not inspired by God and that is why they are not included?

 

[nChrist]

Hello Brother,

I don't think we'll get all the answers in this short life. However, I think that we have what God intended us to have for this day and age. AND, here we are probably getting near to the end of this Age of Grace. I feel quite certain that God has many things to tell us in the ages to come, and He'll have Eternity to do it.

Ephesians 2:4-7 KJV But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

 

[Faith.Man]

Hello Brother,

I don't think we'll get all the answers in this short life. However, I think that we have what God intended us to have for this day and age. AND, here we are probably getting near to the end of this Age of Grace. I feel quite certain that God has many things to tell us in the ages to come, and He'll have Eternity to do it.

Ephesians 2:4-7 KJV But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

I essentially agree with you. There is enough in the existing Biblical text for a lifetime of study, and even that would not even scratch the surface. But a part of me finds this interesting, as well as the likelihood that one or more of Paul's epistles is missing too. I know this is idle speculation, but I just find it interesting.

 

[nChrist]

I essentially agree with you. There is enough in the existing Biblical text for a lifetime of study, and even that would not even scratch the surface. But a part of me finds this interesting, as well as the likelihood that one or more of Paul's epistles is missing too. I know this is idle speculation, but I just find it interesting.

I also find it interesting to consider. I would be fascinated by missing epistles from the Apostle Paul, but I would want to make sure they were the real thing first. I know you would also. The Apostle Paul is one of my favorites, probably because we can all identify with his struggles and rejoice with the revelations that God gave him.

2 Corinthians 9:8-15 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

 

[ptomwebster]

...
The Bible states that Solomon wrote some 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs. ...

So if some archaeologist someday unearths the missing proverbs of Solomon, do they become Holy Scripture? Were these proverbs not inspired by God and that is why they are not included?

There is nothing missing from Scripture that God wanted in Scripture. He is able to preserve His Word the way He wants it.

 

[Faith.Man]

I also find it interesting to consider. I would be fascinated by missing epistles from the Apostle Paul, but I would want to make sure they were the real thing first. I know you would also. The Apostle Paul is one of my favorites, probably because we can all identify with his struggles and rejoice with the revelations that God gave him.

2 Corinthians 9:8-15 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Just to be clear, I'm not advocating opening up the Biblical Canon if newly discovered texts are found and even authenticated. But it would be exciting if a verifiable new Pauline epistle was discovered. Or maybe just irrevocable proof that Paul wrote Hebrews. With all the archeology that is currently going on under Jerusalem, I would not be too surprised if some early Christian documents are found.

 

[Faith.Man]

There is nothing missing from Scripture that God wanted in Scripture. He is able to preserve His Word the way He wants it.

I believe in God's sovereignty. He can also add to His revealed word anytime He so chooses.

 

[Nstott]

This is like the question: Who did Cain marry. Sometimes we can get distracted by tricky questions that want to side track us from actually living faith filled lives.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph2.8.NIV