General Notes

Solomon, king of ancient Israel (reigned 961-922 bc), second son of David, king of Judah and Israel, and Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 12:24). In later Jewish and Muslim literature Solomon appears not only as the wisest of sages but as one gifted with the power to control the spirits of the invisible world. He is frequently noted in history and literature as the builder of the Temple.

Solomon succeeded his father despite the claims of Adonijah, his older half brother (see 1 Kings 1:1-40). He divided Israel into 12 parts for administrative purposes, and his territory extended “from the river [Euphrates] unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt” (4:21). He made slaves of the Canaanites who remained in the land (9:20-21) and formed an alliance with Hiram (flourished 10th century bc), king of Tyre (now Sur, Lebanon). In return for food, Hiram furnished him with timber, and the ships of the allies went out trading together. The Temple, completed in about seven years, was built in great splendor with Hiram's aid and dedicated with much magnificence (see 1 Kings 8).

Solomon's distinguishing quality was as an administrator. He kept

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