Solomon
In the year 931 BCE, a kingdom split in two. The Hebrew Bible describes how Solomon died at about fifty-five years of age after ruling for forty years. His son Rehoboam succeeded him but lost ten tribes to Jeroboam. This division created the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. Before this fracture, Solomon was born in Jerusalem as the second child of King David and Bathsheba. His first brother had died seven days after birth following an adulterous relationship between his parents. The prophet Nathan helped secure Solomon's throne when Adonijah tried to claim it. Solomon began his reign by executing Joab, his father's chief general. He then appointed friends to key military and religious positions. At only fifteen years old, he ascended to power. His administration expanded the cavalry and chariot arms significantly. He founded colonies that served as both trading posts and military outposts.
Scholars have debated whether Solomon truly existed since the nineteenth century. Yigael Yadin excavated sites like Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer claiming they dated from his reign. Israel Finkelstein and Neil Silberman argued these structures actually belonged to the Omride period over a century later. They claimed Jerusalem held fewer than three hundred residents during the tenth century BCE. A 2014 discovery at Khirbet Summeily yielded six clay bullae seals associated with Iron Age IIA political entities. Professor James W. Hardin stated these artifacts support the historical veracity of David and Solomon. Silver hoards found in Phoenicia in 2013 provided material evidence matching ancient texts about Solomon's wealth. André Lemaire noted the first mention of Sheba appeared in Neo-Assyrian texts mid-eighth century BCE. This placed any possible visit from the Queen of Sheba roughly two hundred fifty years after Solomon's traditional timeframe. Kenneth Kitchen calculated that sixty-six gold talents per year might be modest for a mini-empire. Avraham Faust argued Solomon ruled a polity larger than Jerusalem but smaller than biblical descriptions suggest. Lester Grabbe believed a ruler likely built a temple even if the town remained quite small.
Christianity traditionally accepts Solomon as a historical figure though some modern scholars question his authorship of attributed texts. The Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates him as a saint titled Righteous Prophet and King. His feast day falls on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers. Philip II of Spain modeled himself after Solomon placing statues of David and Solomon at El Escorial. Islam regards Solomon as Sulaimān ibn Dāwūd, a prophet and messenger of God who never participated in idolatry. The Quran describes his ability to control wind and rule over jinn. He could hear ants communicate with him during a march. Bahá'í Faith considers him one of the lesser prophets alongside Isaiah and Jeremiah. Baha'u'llah wrote about Solomon in the Hidden Words. Druze tradition claims all trees shed leaves when he died except the olive tree which continued bearing fruit. Rabbinical literature states Solomon knew the language of birds. Jewish scribes say Shimei ben Gera prevented Solomon from marrying foreign wives until his execution. Some traditions claim Solomon regained status while others deny it entirely. He is regarded as a righteous king praised for building the Temple despite acquiring many horses and wives.
The Testament of Solomon contains elaborate demonology describing how Solomon controlled spirits. One legend tells how Asmodeus threw Solomon's ring into the sea where a fish swallowed it. A fisherman later caught that same fish revealing the ring to Solomon. This allowed him to regain his throne and expel Asmodeus. Herodotus recorded a similar story involving Polycrates of Samos around 538 BCE. Rabbinic legends describe stones rising and settling themselves during temple construction via a mythical worm called shamir. Solomon obtained this worm by covering a mountain rooster's nest with glass. The Kabbalah portrays Solomon sailing through air on an eagle-throne near heavenly gates. He compelled fallen angels Uzza and Azzazel to reveal mysteries using his magic ring. An old eagle told Solomon about a palace without entrance hidden behind sand drifts. Inside stood an idol containing a silver tablet written in Greek. Medieval grimoires like The Lesser Key of Solomon frame stories around capturing demons with his ring. The Book of Deadly Names supposedly translated from Arabic manuscripts lists seventy-two jinn confessing their corruptions before King Solomon. These texts developed fully in early pseudoepigraphical works from the first century CE.
H. Rider Haggard published King Solomon's Mines in 1885 featuring protagonists discovering mines built at Solomon's request. Dante Alighieri included Solomon's spirit in the Heaven of the Sun within The Divine Comedy. Friedrich Dürrenmatt wrote The Physicists where Möbius claims Solomon dictated theories of invention. Neal Stephenson created characters named Solomon Kohan appearing in The Baroque Cycle novels published between 2003 and 2019. Kate Bush released Song of Solomon in 1993 for her album The Red Shoes. Handel composed an oratorio titled Solomon in 1748 following basic biblical plots. Ernest Bloch wrote Schelomo based on King Solomon for cello and orchestra. Jamaican dancehall rapper Sean Paul referenced Solomon in his 2005 hit song We Be Burnin'. Grateful Dead recorded King Solomon's Marbles on Blues for Allah in 1975. The British Coronation Anthem Zadok The Priest mentions Solomon's anointing by Zadok and Nathan. Modern films include Solomon and Sheba starring Yul Brynner and Gina Lollobrigida in 1959. Three Thousand Years of Longthing released in 2022 featured Solomon wooing the Queen of Sheba. Philip Armstrong wrote The Shadow Prince making Solomon a significant character commanding daemons.
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Common questions
When did Solomon die and how long did he rule?
Solomon died in the year 931 BCE after ruling for forty years. He ascended to power at only fifteen years old following the death of his father King David.
Who succeeded Solomon as king of Israel?
Rehoboam succeeded Solomon but lost ten tribes to Jeroboam. This division created the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.
Did scholars agree that Solomon existed historically?
Scholars have debated whether Solomon truly existed since the nineteenth century. Yigael Yadin excavated sites like Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer claiming they dated from his reign while others argued these structures belonged to the Omride period over a century later.
How is Solomon regarded in Islam and Christianity?
Christianity traditionally accepts Solomon as a historical figure though some modern scholars question his authorship of attributed texts. Islam regards Solomon as Sulaimān ibn Dāwūd, a prophet and messenger of God who never participated in idolatry.
What legends describe Solomon's control over spirits and demons?
The Testament of Solomon contains elaborate demonology describing how Solomon controlled spirits using his magic ring. One legend tells how Asmodeus threw Solomon's ring into the sea where a fish swallowed it before a fisherman revealed the ring to Solomon.