The Wisdom of King Solomon and the African Way of Life

This article is written from a Christian faith perspective as part of Khwalo Production’s conversation about faith and culture.

King Solomon asked God for one thing: wisdom to lead his people (1 Kings 3:9). Much of what he wrote in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes sounds like the voice of our own grandparents around the fire. Here are the teachings of Solomon that speak most directly to African ways of living, with the isiXhosa wisdom that echoes them.

1. Respect for elders

“The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31). “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22).

African echo: Indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili – the way is asked from those who walked it before. Greeting, listening to and caring for elders is both African custom and biblical command.

2. Ubuntu: we are stronger together

“Two are better than one… for if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow… a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12).

African echo: Umntu ngumntu ngabantu and Isandla sihlamba esinye. Stokvels, burial societies and neighbours who bring chairs to a funeral are this verse lived out.

3. Raising children

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest” (Proverbs 29:17).

African echo: the village raises the child. Solomon calls for loving correction, teaching and example – not neglect and not cruelty.

4. A good name and the clan name

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1).

African echo: our isiduko is our name and honour. When we say Khwalo, Mzangwa, Ncuthu, Mlanjana, we carry the reputation of the whole line. Live so that the name is honoured.

5. Inheritance and the ancient landmarks

“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22). “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set” (Proverbs 22:28).

African echo: land, cattle, homestead and family story are passed down. Solomon teaches us to build for the generations, protect family land and keep the good boundaries our fathers set.

6. Counsel and the elders’ council

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).

African echo: the inkundla and family meetings. Big decisions – marriage, lobola, disputes – are not made alone.

7. Hard work and the ant

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6–8). “He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread” (Proverbs 12:11).

African echo: the fields, the kraal and the mothers who ploughed while men worked in the mines. Work with your hands, plan for the dry season, save in a stokvel.

8. Seasons of life

“To every thing there is a season… a time to be born, and a time to die… a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:1–4).

African echo: birth, initiation, marriage, mourning and celebration each have their rites and their time. Solomon honours the rhythm of life our customs already mark.

9. The power of words

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). “A soft answer turneth away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1).

African echo: praise poetry (izibongo), proverbs and respectful speech (ukuhlonipha). Words build or break families.

10. Hospitality and generosity

“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth” (Proverbs 11:24). “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat” (Proverbs 25:21).

African echo: no visitor leaves hungry. Sharing what you have is ubuntu and it is blessed.

11. Marriage and the woman of strength

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing” (Proverbs 18:22).

African echo: the makoti, the mother and the gogo who held the family together. Proverbs 31 describes a woman who trades, plants, feeds her household and speaks with wisdom – the women of our clan.

12. Strong drink and self-control

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging” (Proverbs 20:1). “He that ruleth his spirit [is better] than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32).

African echo: traditional beer has its place at gatherings, but drunkenness has broken many homes in the township. Self-control is manhood.

13. Friendship and loyalty

“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise” (Proverbs 13:20).

African echo: age-mates, initiation brothers and neighbours. Choose your company carefully.

14. The fear of the Lord comes first

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Ecclesiastes ends: “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

African echo: our forefathers knew uQamata, the Creator. Solomon reminds us that all wisdom begins with Him, not with spirits or the dead.

A warning from Solomon’s own life

Solomon was the wisest man, yet in old age he turned to the gods of his foreign wives and built altars for them (1 Kings 11:4–10). His kingdom was divided after him. The lesson for African families is clear: we can keep our language, customs, clan names and ubuntu, but when culture leads us to seek power from spirits instead of God, even great wisdom ends in loss.

Living it today

• Honour your elders and ask their counsel.
• Teach children the clan name, the language and the Word.
• Work, save and build an inheritance.
• Guard your words, your drink and your marriage.
• Share with neighbours and visitors.
• Put God first in every custom.

Khwalo! Mzangwa! Ncuthu! Mlanjana!