Proverbs 3:16

Length of days. Wisdom never comes alone. When Solomon chose to ask the Lord for wisdom, he was promised long life, riches, and honor (1 Kings 3:5-14). He here pictures wisdom as bringing these other gifts in her hands. In the enumeration of gifts in the book of Kings, long life is last, and conditional upon obedience to God’s commands. In the Proverbs, Solomon puts it first and in the right hand — the place of great honor in the East (see Ps. 110:1) — and riches and honor in the left hand.

While this promise may be regarded as applying today largely to the eternal reward of the righteous, it is still true that prudence and sagacity will do much to ensure long life and prosperity in this world. Many are suffering the ill effects of eating and drinking things that are harmful and of carrying out other unhealthful practices. It is the part of wisdom to study the relationship between diet and health, and to endeavor to live in harmony with the plan of the Creator. While the wise man today may not always attain to great wealth, he will find that godliness with contentment is still great gain and that good men will always honor wisdom (1 Tim. 6:6).