Ungodly wisdom is, well, ungodly; it’s the wisdom “from above” ( Jas 3:15) that we need for living.
The first part of 1 Kings 4 (vv 1-19) would fall under the Human Resources department today, but the rest of the chapter introduces Divine Resources. It describes the happiness of Solomon’s people (v 20), the extent of his control (v 21), the bounty of his provisions (vv 22-23, 27), the peace of his empire (vv 24-25), and the size of his cavalry (vv 26, 28). But it was the “wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart” (v 29) which the Lord had given him that truly enriched the kingdom. We don’t have to look far to see exceedingly rich men who are also exceedingly ignorant of God’s ways, a deadly combination. Note the repeated idiom: “Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea in multitude” (v 20), and “God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore” (v 29). Divine provision will always meet human need. The rest of the chapter highlights Solomon’s wisdom. It is certainly extensive, the “exceedingly great” gift of God’s own wisdom (v 29). Then it is superlative, for his “wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt” (v 30), considered the acme of human intelligence. Third, when seen as comparative, we’re told “he was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol” (v 31). We know little of these men, but Mahol’s family must have been something! The first two, Heman and Ethan, composed Psalms 88 and 89. The chapter concludes with his wisdom as comprehensive: his composition (v 32), his education (v 33), and his reputation (v 34). Do you lack wisdom? Do you know that we can ask for it, too? (See Jas 1:5.)