Solomon

the wise king

Who was Solomon?

Son of David and Bathsheba. David chose him to reign after him. 2 Samuel 12:24; 1 Kings 1:30
He asked God for a listening heart to govern, and God gave him wisdom. 1 Kings 3:9, 12
He built the Temple in Jerusalem. When he was old, his foreign wives turned his heart to other gods. 1 Kings 6:1, 38; 1 Kings 11:4

The name: The Chronicles link his name with peace: God said that in his days he would give peace to Israel. 1 Chronicles 22:9
Also called: Jedidiah: that is what the prophet Nathan called him, on behalf of the Lord 2 Samuel 12:25
From: Jerusalem. He was the son of King David and Bathsheba 2 Samuel 5:14; 2 Samuel 12:24
Occupation: King of Israel 1 Kings 1:39; 1 Kings 11:42

What the Bible says

2 Samuel 12:24; 1 Kings 1:30

And David comforted Bethsabee his wife, and went in unto her, and slept with her: I and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon, and the Lord loved him.

1 Kings 3:9, 12

⁹Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, and discern between good and evil. For who shall be able to judge this people, thy people which is so numerous? ¹²Behold I have done for thee according to thy words, and have given thee a wise and understanding heart, insomuch that there hath been no one like thee before thee, nor shall arise after thee.

1 Kings 6:1, 38; 1 Kings 11:4

¹And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of the reign of Solomon over Israel, in the month Zio (the same is the second month), he began to build a house to the Lord. ³⁸And in the eleventh year in the month Bul (which is the eighth month) the house was finished in all the works thereof, and in all the appurtenances thereof: and he was seven years in building it.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Solomon

Before Jesus. He was born to David and Bathsheba. The Lord loved him, and Nathan gave him the name Jedidiah. 2 Samuel 12:24-25
Before Jesus. When David was already very old, he kept his oath: he had Solomon anointed king. 1 Kings 1:30, 39
With Jesus. At Gibeon, God appeared to him in a dream and told him to ask for whatever he wanted. 1 Kings 3:5
With Jesus. Solomon asked for an understanding heart to govern and to tell good from evil. God gave him wisdom, and riches and glory as well. 1 Kings 3:9, 12-13
With Jesus. Two women asked him to decide whose child a baby was. Solomon found out who the true mother was. 1 Kings 3:16, 27
With Jesus. He built the Temple of the Lord in seven years. When he dedicated it, he prayed for the people with his hands raised to heaven. 1 Kings 6:38; 1 Kings 8:22
With Jesus. The queen of Sheba came to test him with questions, and Solomon answered them all. 1 Kings 10:1-3
Afterward. When he was old, his foreign wives turned his heart to other gods. He reigned forty years and was buried in the City of David. 1 Kings 11:4, 42-43

Words of Solomon

“And now, O Lord God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a child, and know not how to go out and come in.” 1 Kings 3:7

In the dream at Gibeon, when God told him to ask for whatever he wanted.

“Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, and discern between good and evil. For who shall be able to judge this people, thy people which is so numerous?” 1 Kings 3:9

In the same dream: what he asked God for.

“Give the living child to this woman, and let it not be killed, for she is the mother thereof.” 1 Kings 3:27

When he settled the dispute of the two women who both claimed to be the mother of the same child.

“Is it then to be thought that God should indeed dwell upon earth? for if heaven, and the heavens of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built?” 1 Kings 8:27

In the prayer for the dedication of the Temple.

What they were like

He loved the Lord and followed the commands of his father David. 1 Kings 3:3
Humble at the start: he told God he was like a child who does not know what to do. 1 Kings 3:7
Curious: he spoke about plants, from the cedar to the hyssop, and about animals, birds, reptiles and fish. 1 Kings 5:13

The greatest thing they did

God gave him wisdom as vast as the sand on the seashore. 1 Kings 5:9
He built the Temple, and the glory of the Lord filled it like a cloud. 1 Kings 6:38; 1 Kings 8:10-11
People from every nation came to hear his wisdom. 1 Kings 5:14

What people ask

What did Solomon ask God for?

An understanding heart to govern with justice and to tell good from evil. God was pleased that he did not ask for riches or a long life. 1 Kings 3:9-11

How long did it take him to build the Temple?

Seven years. He began in the fourth year of his reign. 1 Kings 6:1, 38

Did Solomon write books of the Bible?

The Bible says he composed three thousand proverbs and a thousand and five songs. Several books have his name in the title. 1 Kings 5:12; Proverbs 1:1

Why did he turn away from God?

He married many women from foreign peoples. When he was old, they turned his heart to their gods. 1 Kings 11:1-4

What did Jesus say about Solomon?

That not even Solomon, in all his glory, was dressed like a lily of the field. And that someone greater than Solomon was there. Matthew 6:29; Matthew 12:42

His fall He married many women from peoples the Lord had forbidden Israel to marry. 1 Kings 11:1-2 When he was old, they turned his heart: he worshiped other gods…

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Who Solomon is connected to

David · father and son
Jesus · ancestor of Jesus · greater than Solomon
Nathan · named him and anointed him
Bathsheba · mother and son
The Queen of Sheba · the visit

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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