Who was Darda in the Bible?

Darda was a man noted for his wisdom, mentioned as a point of comparison to highlight King Solomon's superior wisdom. He is listed among the famously wise men of his era, alongside Mahol, Ethan, and Heman (1 Kings 4:31).

Why is Darda mentioned in 1 Kings?

Darda is mentioned to emphasize that King Solomon's God-given wisdom was greater than that of all the other renowned wise men of his time, including Darda. This comparison serves to showcase Solomon's unique blessing and stature (1 Kings 4:29-31).

What do we know about Darda's life and family?

The Bible provides no details about Darda's life events, family, or specific teachings. He is only referenced by name as one of the sons of Mahol, establishing him within a family or tradition known for wisdom (1 Kings 4:31).

Darda

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleSon of mahol

Darda was a wise man, but Solomon's wisdom surpassed his. (1Ki.4.31)

Darda

Biography

Darda was a son of Mahol, celebrated in ancient Israelite tradition as one of the wisest men of his era. He is listed in 1 Kings 4:31 alongside Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, and Calcol, men whose collective wisdom set the standard of excellence in the ancient Near East. Yet even their combined renown was eclipsed by King Solomon, whose wisdom, the text declares, surpassed all of them. Some scholars connect Darda and his brothers to the sons of Zerah in 1 Chronicles 2:6, identifying them with the Judahite clan, though others see them as Ezrahites of a distinct lineage. Several of his companions are attributed with composing psalms (Psalm 88-89 headings), suggesting this group had a strong musical and literary reputation in addition to wisdom.

Significance

Darda's role in Scripture is comparative and literary, he serves as a benchmark of human wisdom against which divine wisdom is measured. The deliberate enumeration of wise men like Darda in 1 Kings 4:31 makes a theological point: the wisdom God granted to Solomon was not merely the product of human education or natural talent but a supernatural gift unparalleled in human history. Darda thus participates in the broader Solomonic narrative that celebrates Israel's golden age under a king uniquely endowed by God. His legacy invites reflection on the nature of wisdom itself, that it ultimately finds its source and its fullest expression not in human achievement, but in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10).

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherMahol

Verse Appearances (1)

1Kgs

1Kgs 4:31

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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