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also part of the Wisdom literature collection. The development of the Wisdomtradition in Judaism shows a further collection outside the canonical books, in theApocrypha. These include Ecclesiasticus and the Wisdom of Solomon, both bookscommonly known by the name of their authors – Ben-Sira (c. 180 BC) and theQohelet (cf Toy 1899: xxiii; Kidner1964:14; Thompson 1974:35; Whybray 1994:7) 95 .Gerhard von Rad in his detailed work Wisdom in Israel (translated by James D.Martin, 1972) also attributes most wisdom literature, especially Proverbs, to Solomon.However, this is because most proverbs have been given a royal origin to the extentthat the “Solomonic authorship is hardly ever doubted” (Von Rad 1972:15). IfWisdom literature seems to portray royal characteristics, then it is proper to concludethat the royal court was “a place where wisdom was traditionally nurtured” (Von Rad1972:15). Clements, in his discussion of Proverbs, offers some examples of courtlyWisdom:Oracular decisions are on the lips of the king;his mouth makes no mistake when passing sentence (Prov. 16:10).Such wisdom affirmed the king in his execution of justice, while the subsequentverses appealed to his righteousness:It is an abomination for the kings to do evil,for the throne is established by right action.Truthful lips are the delight of the king,And he loves one who speaks what is true (Prov. 16:12-13).Love of truthfulness and justice was to be expected of the king in his ruling, for heruled on behalf of God (cf Clements 1992:98-99). The royal court was not, of course,the only place where wisdom flourished. As other sources and genres will show, therewas wisdom concerning behaviour of the ruled toward the king, presented as amessage of wisdom from a father to his son:95 Thompson alludes to usage of proverbs as wisdom from other regions in the Ancient Near East.These include Egypt, Canaan, and Babylon (Thompson 1974:35-57). Wisdom literature is not, by anymeans, limited to the four sources indicated above. Proverbial phrases and statements are to be foundelsewhere in the Bible in the priestly and prophetic traditions (Thompson 1974:60; alsoWestermann1995:99-107).232