But he wasn't exactly famous for his purity. God in fact used Solomon to relay to us many enduring truths and principles about the world which we can find in these books. [49], As for Solomon himself, scholars on both the maximalist and minimalist sides of the spectrum of biblical archeology generally agree that he probably existed. They are also focused on spiritual issues of sin and forgiveness and restoration and deliverance, not primarily physical ones like health or prosperity. [58] Likewise, Finkelstein and others consider the claimed size of Solomon's temple implausible. This Hebrew word means "to Solomon", but it can also be translated as "by Solomon," thus suggesting to some that Solomon wrote the two psalms.[45][46][47]. Marrying many women. Again and again God reminded Solomon to obey and to love Him as David did. Even though he was lauded for his wisdom, observers recognized that his wisdom was too much to be an earthly inheritance; "he had wisdom from God.". According to these, there were on the steps of the throne twelve golden lions, each facing a golden eagle. This certainly created lots of tension between each sub family. He founded numerous colonies, some of which doubled as trading posts and military outposts. The book is a poetic picture of marriage written by or about Solomon and a woman he loves. The Jewish historian Eupolemus, who wrote about 157 BCE, included copies of apocryphal letters exchanged between Solomon and the kings of Egypt and Tyre. In The Book of Deadly Names, purportedly translated from Arabic manuscripts found hidden in a building in Spain, the "King of the Jinn" Fiqitush brings 72 jinn before King Solomon to confess their corruptions and places of residence. After a reign of forty years, he died of natural causes[44] at around 60 years of age. This is one reason why Jesus said it is harder for a rich man to enter heaven than a camel through the eye of a needle. Solomon is considered the most wealthy of the Israelite kings named in the Bible. In addition, he was responsible for many other cultural and architectural achievements, which drew visitors from far and wide. Knowing what is right doesnt equal doing what is right Solomon was given almost supernatural wisdom about what is right and what is wrong. In a brief, unelaborated, and enigmatic passage, the Hebrew Bible describes how the fame of Solomon's wisdom and wealth reached even the far-off Queen of Sheba. An immense amount of gold was used and so much bronze that it was too much to reasonably weigh. If Solomon could not handle the temptations associated with marrying an unbeliever, there is no way we can. A strong start in the Christian life doesnt guarantee a strong finish. According to some archaeologists, Solomon could have only been the monarch or chieftain of Judah, and that the northern kingdom was a separate development. The young woman was very beautiful, and she was of service to the king and attended to him, but the king knew her not."[22]. Firstly, he was in the royal family so his father was often busy fighting wars and governing the kingdom. That is a lot of animals! Solomon was promised wisdom, riches, honor, and long life if he would continue in righteousness before the Lord. (Deuteronomy 17:17, 1 Kings 11:1-3) Not only did God command His people not to marry pagan women, He also commanded them not to marry many women. The Song of Solomon is a series of lyrical poems organized as a lengthy dialogue between a young woman and her lover. He would have been trained in the ways of the court and in warfare and in how to run a nation. (1 Kings 2:45). [94] The ant is depicted as a wise creature, revealing to Solomon the reason behind his gift to control the wind and his name. In some myths, he's disguised as King Solomon himself. In 1 Kings 6:11-13 God promised to be with them conditionally depending on their obedience. If we instead use what we want first we will often find there is nothing left at the end of the month. This wisdom is compiled into a poem entitled "The Wife of Noble Character . Also, we have the book of Proverbs largely written by Solomon and Ecclesiastes completely written by him. If we do, we are the ones who give up His blessings the joy we can have in Him. 'Solomon, son of David'). The throne then passed to the Persians, whose king Darius was the first to sit successfully on Solomon's throne after his death; subsequently the throne came into the possession of the Greeks and Ahasuerus. Grabbe, Lester L. 2016. God is so pleased with Solomon's answer that he gives him wisdom beyond measure as well as riches and honor. Solomon penned much of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and may be the key subject of Song of Solomon. occurred in the mid-8th century BCE,[60] placing a possible visit from the Queen of Sheba to Jerusalem around this timesome 250 years later than the timeframe traditionally given for king Solomon's reign. According to the Bible, Solomon was the third king of a united Israel, reigning in the latter half of the 10th century BCE. The first poem is spoken by the young maiden, who longs to be near her lover and enjoy his kisses. Solomon is also described as rebuilding cities elsewhere in Israel, creating the port of Ezion-Geber, and constructing Palmyra in the wilderness as a commercial depot and military outpost. More archaeological success has been achieved with the major cities Solomon is said to have strengthened or rebuilt, for example, Hazor, Megiddo and Gezer. Even the very most dedicated believer can backslide and drift away from God. However the kingdom wasnt nearly as great or as extensive as it could have been. The dove then descended, took the scroll of the Law from the Ark, and placed it on Solomon's knees. Great men and women from many nations came to hear him and test his understanding and knowledge. The edifice was, according to rabbinical legend, miraculously constructed throughout, the large heavy stones rising and settling in their respective places of themselves. Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Solomon declared the woman who showed compassion to be the true mother, entitled to the whole child. Give the best to God and whatever is leftover for yourself. In religious lore, the ring is described as having given Solomon the power to command the supernatural and also the ability to speak with animals. David's first child through her died seven days after being born as punishment for his adultery (2Samuel 12:14 - 23). On the Art of Medieval Arabic Literature. [15], Solomon was born in Jerusalem,[16] the second born child of David and his wife Bathsheba (widow of Uriah the Hittite). After he died, David was finally able to marry his wife. Such disputes tend to divide Christians into traditionalist and modernist camps. According to 1 Kings 11:3, Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines! [42], Jewish scribes say that Solomon's teacher was Shimei (son of Gera), and while he lived, he prevented Solomon from marrying foreign wives. The former appears in the title of the Lesser Key of Solomon, a grimoire whose framing story is Solomon capturing demons using his ring, and forcing them to explain themselves to him. He spared no expense in building the temple and the following sacrifices (1 Kings 6:21,22 1 Kings 6:28-32, 1 Kings 7:47,8:62-63) Solomon was already extremely rich at this time, but he wasnt skimpy. 6. Possible evidence for the described wealth of Solomon and his kingdom was discovered in ancient silver hoards, which were found in Israel and Phoenicia and recognized for their importance in 2003. These are mostly dependent on our obedience. The concealed Asmodeus tells travelers who have ventured up to King Solomon's grand lofty palace that the Seal of Solomon was thrown into the sea. [99] He also mentions Solomon in the Tablet of Wisdom, where he is depicted as a contemporary of Pythagoras.[100]. Solomon didnt ask for any of these things. He claimed the promises of God. For instance, the archaeologist Avraham Faust has argued that biblical depictions of Solomon date to later periods and do overstate his wealth, buildings, and kingdom, but that Solomon did have an acropolis and ruled over a polity larger than Jerusalem. The Story of the Fisherman. Help us continue to create Bible study resources by supporting Study and Obey for as little as $1. A third party, or chorus, occasionally addresses the lovers. In particular he continued his father's very profitable relationship with the Phoenician king Hiram I of Tyre (see 'wealth' below); they sent out joint expeditions to the lands of Tarshish and Ophir to engage in the trade of luxury products, importing gold, silver, sandalwood, pearls, ivory, apes and peacocks. Solomon was then able to regain his throne and expel Asmodeus. In this work, Solomon is portrayed as an astronomer. It is just as common today. It is this reason why his name, which means peace, was chosen. Judas and Peter What Is True Repentance? When the bird returned, it used the shamir to break the glass, whereupon the men scared the bird, causing it to drop the worm, which the men could then bring to Solomon. The earliest traditions about his reign, concentrated in 1 Kings and in modified form in 1-2 Chronicles, portray him as a builder and organizer of a state who consolidated the gains of his father David. Perhaps the best known story of his wisdom is the Judgment of Solomon; two women each lay claim to being the mother of the same child. It is hard enough with a godly wife to encourage us. . 2. Sometimes, protagonists discovered words of Solomon that were intended to help those who were lost and had unluckily reached those forbidden and deserted places. In another familiar version of the legend of the Seal of Solomon, Asmodeus disguises himself. Do not offer any excuses. Solomon builds the opulent Temple in Jerusalem and ushers in Israel's greatest period of wealth and power. Angels also helped Solomon in building the Temple, though not by choice. God gifted him with unsurpassed wisdom, which Solomon squandered by disobeying God's commandments. https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/should-believers-date-unbelievers/. 18), the fear of iron on the part of evil spirits is a feature common to both old and recent folk-lore. Solomon is the perfect case study of why God gave this warning originally to the Jews before they even entered the land and why similar commands are repeated throughout Scripture and in the New Testament. The eldest brother of these two birds, which was 1,300 years old, then declared it had been informed by its father that the door was on the west side, but that it had become hidden by sand drifted by the wind. Trying to please many women would turn the kings heart away from the Lord and distract him from the work God had for him to do in his family and country. 1. But they learned from them the means to cause separation between man and his wife. [11], The life of Solomon is primarily described in 2Samuel, 1Kings and 2Chronicles. Only after the temple was built was worshiping God in the high places forbidden. The first place we should look is ourselves. Solomon also constructed great water works for the city, and the Millo (Septuagint, Acra) for the defense of the city. (27: 1819). 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