King · OT
Solomon
Son of David, builder of the temple, and the wisest king of Israel — whose later years drifted into compromise.
Solomon, son of David and Bathsheba, was anointed king while his father still lived, after Adonijah's attempted coup. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to him in a dream and offered him whatever he asked. Solomon asked for 'an understanding heart to judge thy people' (1 Kings 3:9), and God added riches and honor besides.
His reign brought Israel to its territorial and economic peak. He built the temple in Jerusalem according to the pattern David had received, dedicated it with a great prayer, and saw the glory of the Lord fill the house. He authored Proverbs, the Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes. But his political marriages drew his heart after foreign gods, and the Lord told him the kingdom would be torn from his son. He reigned forty years.
Key moments
The dream at Gibeon
Asks for wisdom rather than long life or wealth (1 Kings 3).
Building of the temple
Seven years of construction; the glory fills the house.
Visit of the Queen of Sheba
Pagan queen testifies, 'the half was not told me.'
Drift into idolatry
Foreign wives turn his heart away (1 Kings 11).
Key verses
"Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern justice; behold, I have done according to thy word: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there hath been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee."
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"But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded! Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Jehovah my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day; that thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place whereof thou hast said, My name shall be there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray toward this place. And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: yea, hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place; and when thou hearest, forgive."
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"The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; Butthe foolish despise wisdom and instruction."
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"This isthe end of the matter; all hath been heard: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man."
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"yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
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Frequently asked
How many wives did Solomon have?
1 Kings 11:3 records that Solomon had seven hundred wives — princesses — and three hundred concubines, and they turned his heart away from the Lord.
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