Editing Solomon (section)

==Biblical account==
The life of Solomon is primarily described in 2{{nbsp}}[[Book of Samuel|Samuel]], 1{{nbsp}}[[Books of Kings|Kings]] and 2{{nbsp}}[[Books of Chronicles|Chronicles]]. His two names are traditionally taken to mean "[[Š-L-M|peaceful]]" and "[[wikt:ידיד|friend of God]]", both considered "predictive of the character of his reign".<ref name=JE /> A 2023 textbook described three possibilities for the [[etymology]] of Solomon’s name: “compensation or a substitute,” “the ruler of peace,” or based on the deified evening star [[Shalim]].<ref>{{cite book | last=Frevel | first=Christian | title=History of Ancient Israel | year=2023 | publisher=SBL Press | location=Atlanta | page=193 | isbn=978-1-62837-514-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yvy6EAAAQBAJ |quote=The name formed from the root šlm makes [[Solomon]] either compensation or a substitute (2 Sam 12:24 indicates Slm means "provide compensation" or the ruler of peace (from šalôm "peace, prosperity, as indicated in 1 Chr 22:9). But the connection with the deified evening star Salem, which is also present in the name of the city of [[Jerusalem]] ("City of Salem"), is also conceivable. This could be read as an indication that [[David]] brought [[YHWH]] with him to Jerusalem but that he could not immediately displace the gods that were already there and were associated with the city. This is also suggested by the names of David's sons listed in 2 Sam 5:14-16, which do not feature any YHWH-related name components. The name of David's son, [[Absalom]], is better interpreted as "my father is Salem" rather than as "father of peace." In support of compensation are the quite frequent biblically and epigraphically documented names [[Shelemiah]] ("YHWH replaced [the deceased child]"), [[Shillem]] ("he replaced"), or [[Shallum]] ("he was replaced"). Salem is supported by the fact that the twin pendant to šalem, the dawn šahar, is also documented on name seals and that it is often not possible to decide whether the šlm seals are a reference to compensation or to the [[Canaanite religion|Canaanite deity]] already documented in [[Ugarit]].}}</ref>

===Chronology===
The conventional dates of Solomon's reign are derived from [[biblical chronology]] and are set from about 970 to 931 [[Common Era|BCE]].<ref>E. Clarity, 2012, p. 305.</ref> Regarding the [[Davidic line|Davidic dynasty]], to which King Solomon belongs, its chronology can be checked against datable Babylonian and Assyrian records at a few points, and these correspondences have allowed [[Archaeology|archaeologists]] to date its kings in a modern framework.<ref>{{cite journal
| last = Kitchen
| first = Kenneth A.
| title = How We Know When Solomon Ruled
| journal = Biblical Archaeology Review
| volume = 5
| issue = 27
| publisher = BAS
| date = September–October 2001
| language = English
| url = https://www.baslibrary.org/biblical-archaeology-review/27/5/2
}}</ref>{{dubious|No such widely accepted sources.|date=April 2018}} According to the most widely used chronology, based on that by the Old Testament professor [[Edwin R. Thiele]], the death of Solomon and the division of his kingdom would have occurred in the fall of 931 BCE.{{Sfn|Thiele|1983|p=78}}

===Childhood===
Solomon was born in [[Jerusalem]],<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Chronicles|14:4}}</ref> the second-born child of David and his wife [[Bathsheba]] (widow of [[Uriah the Hittite]]). The first child (unnamed in that account), a son conceived adulterously during Uriah's lifetime, had died seven days after birth. It is suggested in Scripture that this was a judgment from God. Solomon had three named full brothers born to Bathsheba: [[Nathan (son of David)|Nathan]], Shammua, and Shobab,<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Chronicles|3:5}}</ref> besides six known older half-brothers born of as many mothers.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Chronicles|3:1–4}}</ref>

The biblical narrative shows that Solomon served as a peace offering between God and David, due to David's adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. In an effort to hide this sin, David sent Bathsheba's husband, [[Uriah the Hittite]], to battle, and specifically to the front line wherein David ordered the commanding officer [[Joab]] to withdraw support for Uriah in order to have him killed in battle by the enemy. After he died, David was finally able to marry Bathsheba. As punishment, the first child, who was conceived during the adulterous relationship, died.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Solomon|last=Vance|first=Jennifer|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2015|isbn=978-1-68146-118-2|location=New York}}</ref> Solomon was born after David was forgiven. It is this reason why his name, which means peace, was chosen. Some historians cited that [[Nathan (prophet)|Nathan the Prophet]] brought up Solomon as his father was busy governing the realm.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Golden childhood. The Little People's Own Pleasure—Book of Delight and Instruction|publisher=Ward, Lock, and Co.|year=1878|location=London|page=116}}</ref> This could also be attributed to the notion that the prophet held great influence over David because he knew of his [[adultery]], which was considered a grievous offense under the [[Law of Moses|Mosaic Law]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Discovering Hope in the Psalms: A Creative Bible Study Experience|last1=Farrel|first1=Pam|last2=Jones|first2=Jean|publisher=Harvest House Publishers|year=2017|isbn=978-0-7369-6997-0|location=Eugene|page=70}}</ref>

===Succession and administration===
[[File:Cornelis de Vos - The Anointing of Solomon.jpg|thumb|''The Anointing of Solomon '' by [[Cornelis de Vos]] (c.{{nbsp}}1630). According to 1{{nbsp}}[[Books of Kings|Kings]] 1:39, Solomon was [[Anointing|anointed]] by [[Zadok]].]]

According to the [[First Book of Kings]], when David was old, "he could not get warm".<ref name="1 Kings 1 ESV">{{cite web|url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20kings%201;&version=47; |title=1 Kings 1 (ESV) |publisher=BibleGateway.com |access-date=2010-03-03}}</ref> "So they sought a beautiful young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found [[Abishag]] the [[Shunamitism|Shunamite]], and brought her to the king. The young woman was very beautiful, and she was of service to the king and attended to him, but the king knew her not."<ref name="1 Kings 1 ESV" />

While David was in this state, court factions were maneuvering for power.  [[Adonijah]], David's [[heir apparent]], acted to have himself declared king, but was outmaneuvered by Bathsheba and the biblical prophet Nathan, who convinced David to proclaim Solomon king according to his earlier promise (not recorded elsewhere in the biblical narrative),<ref>Lumby, J. R., [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/1_kings/1.htm Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on 1 Kings 1], accessed 24 September 2017</ref> despite Solomon's being younger than his brothers.

Solomon, as instructed by David, began his reign with an extensive purge, including his father's chief general, [[Joab]], among others, and further consolidated his position by appointing friends throughout the administration, including in religious positions as well as in civic and military posts.<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Kings|4:1–19|NKJV}}</ref> It is said that Solomon ascended to the throne when he was only about fifteen.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Bible Exposition Commentary, Volume 1|last=Wiersbe|first=Warren |publisher=Cook Communications|year=2003|isbn=978-0-7814-3531-4|location=Eastbourne|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bibleexpositionc00wier/page/496 496] |url=https://archive.org/details/bibleexpositionc00wier/page/496}}</ref>

Solomon greatly expanded his military strength, especially the cavalry and chariot arms.  He founded numerous colonies, some of which doubled as trading posts and military outposts.  He also increased the bureaucracy.<ref>Steinsaltz, Adin.  ''Biblical Images: Men and Women of the Book''.  New York: Basic Books, 1984.  p. 156.</ref>

Trade relationships were a focus of his administration. 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 is considered the most wealthy of the Israelite kings named in the Bible.

===Wisdom===
[[File:Luca Giordano - Dream of Solomon - WGA09004.jpg|thumbnail|[[Luca Giordano]]: The ''Dream of Solomon'': God promises Solomon wisdom]]
Solomon was the biblical king most famous for his wisdom. In 1{{nbsp}}Kings he sacrificed to God, and God later appeared to him in a dream,<ref>1 Kings 3:3–15</ref> asking what Solomon wanted from God. Solomon asked for wisdom in order to better rule and guide his people. Pleased, God personally answered Solomon's prayer, promising him great wisdom because he did not ask for self-serving rewards like long life or the death of his enemies.

Perhaps the best known story of his wisdom is the [[Judgement of Solomon]]; two women each lay claim to being the mother of the same child. Solomon easily resolved the dispute by commanding the child to be cut in half and shared between the two. One woman promptly renounced her claim, proving that she would rather give the child up than see it killed. Solomon declared the woman who showed compassion to be the true mother, entitled to the whole child.<ref>[[1 Kings]] 3:16–28</ref>

Solomon has traditionally been considered the author of several biblical books, including [[Book of Proverbs|Proverbs]], [[Ecclesiastes]], and [[Song of Songs]]. He is traditionally ascribed authorship of the [[Wisdom of solomon|Wisdom of Solomon]] which is included in the [[Deuterocanonical books|Scriptures]] of the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Church, but is considered apocryphal in Protestant traditions.{{Sfn|Coogan|2009|p=375}}

===Wealth===
[[File:Solomon reciving envoys of the tributary nations.jpg|thumb|Solomon receiving envoys of the tributary nations]]
According to the Hebrew Bible, the [[United Monarchy|ancient Kingdom of Israel]] gained its highest splendour and wealth during Solomon's reign of 40 years. In a single year, according to {{bibleverse|1|Kings|10:14|HE}}, Solomon collected [[tribute]] amounting to 666 [[talent (weight)|talents]] (18,125 kilograms) of gold. Solomon is described as surrounding himself with all the luxuries and the grandeur of an Eastern monarch, and his government prospered. He entered into an alliance with [[Hiram I]], king of [[Tyre (Lebanon)|Tyre]], who in many ways greatly assisted him in his numerous undertakings.

===Construction projects===
{{See also|Solomon's Temple}}
[[File:Solomon and the Plan for the Temple.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=Solomon plans the building of the temple|Solomon and the plan for the [[First Temple]]. Illustration from a [[Bible card]]]]
For years before his death, David was engaged in collecting materials for building a temple in Jerusalem as a permanent home for [[Yahweh]] and the [[Ark of the Covenant]]. Solomon is described as undertaking the construction of the [[Solomon's Temple|temple]], with the help of an architect, also named [[Hiram Abiff|Hiram]], and other materials, sent from King Hiram of Tyre.

After the completion of the temple, Solomon is described in the biblical narrative as erecting many other buildings of importance in [[Jerusalem]]. For 13 years, he was engaged in the building of a royal palace on [[Ophel]] (a hilly promontory in central Jerusalem). This complex included buildings referred to as:
:The House (or Hall) of the Forest of Lebanon<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Kings|10:17|NKJV}} and {{bibleverse|2|Chronicles|9:20|NKJV}}: "House" in the [[King James Version]] and [[Revised Standard Version]], "Hall" in the [[Jerusalem Bible]] and [[Good News Translation]]</ref>
:The Hall or Porch of Pillars
:The Hall of the Throne or the Hall of Justice as well as his own residence and a residence for his wife, [[Pharaoh's daughter (wife of Solomon)|Pharaoh's daughter]].<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Kings|7:1-8|NKJV}}</ref>

[[File:Tissot Solomon Dedicates the Temple at Jerusalem.jpg|thumb|King Solomon [[Dedication (ritual)|dedicates]] the Temple at Jerusalem. Painting by [[James Tissot]] or follower, c. 1896–1902]]
[[Solomon's Throne|Solomon's throne]] is said to have been spectacularly opulent and possessed moving parts, making it one of the earliest mechanical devices in history. It is said that "Nothing like it (the throne) had ever been made for any other kingdom."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bible Gateway passage: 1 Kings 10:20 - New International Version |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2010:20&version=NIV |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Bible Gateway |language=en}}</ref> Solomon also constructed great water works for the city, and the [[Millo]] ([[Septuagint]], ''Acra'') for the defense of the city. However, excavations of Jerusalem have discovered no monumental architecture from the era, and no remains of either the Temple or Solomon's palace have been found.

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. Although the location of the port of Ezion-Geber is known, no remains have ever been found. More archaeological success has been achieved with the major cities Solomon is said to have strengthened or rebuilt, for example, [[Tel Hazor|Hazor]], [[Tel Megiddo|Megiddo]] and [[Gezer]].<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Kings|9:15|HE}}</ref> These all have substantial ancient remains, including impressive six-chambered gates, and [[ashlar]] palaces; however it is no longer the scholarly consensus that these structures date to the time, according to the Bible, when Solomon ruled.{{sfn|Finkelstein|Silberman|2001|pages=186–195}}

According to the Bible, during Solomon's reign, Israel enjoyed great commercial prosperity, with extensive traffic being carried on by land with [[Tyre (Lebanon)|Tyre]], [[Egypt]], and [[Arabia]], and by sea with [[Tarshish]], [[Ophir]], and [[South India]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bhaktivejanyana|first=Swami |title=Ithihaasa: the mystery of his story is my story of history|date=2013-01-23|isbn=978-1-4772-4272-8 |location=Bloomington, IN|oclc=826444777}}</ref>

===Wives and concubines===
[[File:Giovanni Venanzi di Pesaro König Salomons Götzendienst.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|King Solomon with his wives. Illustrated in 1668 by [[Giovanni Battista Venanzi]].]]
According to the biblical account, Solomon had 700 wives and 300 [[concubine]]s.<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Kings|11:3|NKJV}}; not in the 2{{nbsp}}Chronicles account</ref> The wives were described as foreign princesses, including [[Pharaoh's daughter (wife of Solomon)|Pharaoh's daughter]]<ref>See also {{bibleverse|1|Kings|3:1|NKJV}}</ref> and women of [[Moab]], [[Ammon]], [[Edom]], [[Sidon]] and of the [[Hittites]]. His marriage to Pharaoh's daughter appears to have cemented a political alliance with Egypt, whereas he clung to his other wives and concubines "in love".<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Kings|11:2–3|NKJV}}: NKJV</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=1 Kings 12—2 Kings 25|work=Introduction to the Hebrew Bible|year=2018|pages=281–304|publisher=Fortress Press|doi=10.2307/j.ctt1w6tbx5.24|isbn=978-1-5064-4605-9}}</ref> The only wife mentioned by name is [[Naamah (wife of Solomon)|Naamah]] the [[Ammonites (people)|Ammonite]], mother of Solomon's successor, [[Rehoboam]].

The biblical narrative notes with disapproval that Solomon permitted his foreign wives to import their national deities, building temples to [[Ashtoreth]] and [[Milcom]].<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Kings|11:5–9|NKJV}}: NKJV</ref>

In the branch of literary analysis that examines the Bible, called [[higher criticism]], the story of Solomon falling into idolatry by the influence of [[Pharaoh's daughter (wife of Solomon)|Pharaoh's daughter]] and his other foreign wives is "customarily seen as the handiwork of the [[Documentary hypothesis|'deuteronomistic historian(s)']]", who are held to have written, compiled, or edited texts to legitimize the reforms of [[Hezekiah]]'s great-grandson, King [[Josiah]] who reigned from about 641 to 609 BCE (over 280 years after Solomon's death according to Bible scholars).<ref name="HC">{{cite web|title=Loving too well: The negative portrayal of Solomon and the composition of the Kings history|url=http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=13777356}} Retrieved on Jan. 17, 2007</ref> Scholarly consensus in this field holds that "Solomon's wives/women were introduced in the 'Josianic' (customarily Dtr) edition of Kings as a theological construct to blame the [[schism]] [between Judah and the Northern Kingdom of Israel] on his misdeeds".<ref name="HC" />

===Relationship with Queen of Sheba===
{{See also|Kebra Nagast}}
[[File:'The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon', oil on canvas painting by Edward Poynter, 1890, Art Gallery of New South Wales.jpg|thumb|''The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon''. Oil on canvas painting by Edward Poynter, 1890.]]
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]]. The queen is described as visiting with gifts including gold, spices and precious stones. When Solomon gave her "all her desire, whatsoever she asked", she left satisfied.<ref>[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+10%3A10&version=NIV 1 Kings 10:13]</ref>

Whether the passage is simply to provide a brief foreign witness of Solomon's wealth and wisdom, or whether the visit is meant to have more significance, is unknown; nevertheless the Queen of Sheba has become the subject of numerous stories.

[[Sheba]] is typically identified as [[Sabaeans|Saba]], a nation once spanning the [[Red Sea]] on the coasts of what are now [[Eritrea]], [[Somalia]], [[Ethiopia]] and [[Yemen]], in [[Arabia Felix]]; although other sources place it in the area of what is now northern Ethiopia and Eritrea.<ref>[[Stuart Munro-Hay]], ''The Quest for the Ark of the Covenant: The True History of the Tablets of Moses''.</ref><ref>[[Donald N. Levine]], ''Wax and Gold: Tradition and Innovation in Ethiopia Culture'' (Chicago: University Press, 1972).</ref>

In a Rabbinical account (e.g. [[Targum Sheni]], [[s:Translation:Colloquy of the Queen of Sheba|Colloquy of the Queen of Sheba]]), Solomon was accustomed to ordering animals to dance before him (a power granted by God), and upon summoning the mountain-cock or [[hoopoe]] (Aramaic name: ''nagar tura''), the bird told him it had discovered a land in the east, rich in gold, silver, and plants, whose capital was called ''Kitor'' and whose ruler was the Queen of Sheba. Solomon then sent the bird to request the queen's visit.

An Ethiopian account from the 14th century (''[[Kebra Nagast]]'') maintains that the Queen of Sheba had sexual relations with King Solomon and gave birth beside the Mai Bella stream in the province of [[Hamasien]], [[Eritrea]]. The Ethiopian tradition has a [[Queen of Sheba#Ethiopian|detailed account of the affair]]. The child was a son who became [[Menelik I]], King of [[Kingdom of Axum|Axum]], and founded a [[Solomonic dynasty|dynasty]] that would reign as the Jewish, then Christian, [[Empire of Ethiopia]] which lasted 2900 years until [[Haile Selassie]] was overthrown in 1974. Menelik was said to be a practicing Jew who was given a replica of the [[Ark of the Covenant]] by King Solomon; and, moreover, that the original Ark was switched and went to [[Axum]] with him and his mother, and is still there, guarded by a single dedicated priest.

The claim of such a lineage and of possession of the Ark was an important source of legitimacy and prestige for the Ethiopian monarchy through the centuries, and had important and lasting effects on [[Culture of Ethiopia|Ethiopian culture]]. The Ethiopian government and church deny all requests to view the alleged ark.{{Efn|Recent History Channel promotional production about ''Indiana Jones's''{{citation needed|date=June 2008|reason=Title needed, IMDb search on Indiana Jones user:fabartus}} positive impact on archaeology (released mid-May 2008, the week before the 22 May 2008 US release of ''[[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]]''); History Channel producers were shown interviewing the guardian priest, and expert discussions about the Ark were part of the fare.}}

Some classical-era Rabbis, attacking Solomon's moral character, have claimed instead that the child was an ancestor of [[Nebuchadnezzar II]], who destroyed Solomon's temple some 300 years later.<ref name=JE />

===Sins and punishment===
[[File:Isaak Asknaziy 02.jpeg|thumb|left |"[[Ecclesiastes|Vanity of vanities; all is vanity"]]. [[Isaak Asknaziy]] illustrates an old and meditative King Solomon.]]
Jewish scribes say that Solomon's teacher was [[Shimei ben Gera]], and while he lived, he prevented Solomon from marrying foreign wives. The Talmud says at Ber. 8a: "For as long as Shimei the son of Gera was alive Solomon did not marry the daughter of Pharaoh" (see also [[Midrash Tehillim]] to Ps. 3:1). Solomon's execution of Shimei was his first descent into sin.<ref name=JE>{{Cite Jewish Encyclopedia |title=Solomon |url=http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/13842-solomon |first1=Emil G. |last1=Hirsch |first2=Ira Maurice |last2=Price |first3=Wilhelm |last3=Bacher |first4=M. |last4=Seligsohn |first5=Mary W. |last5=Montgomery |first6=Crawford Howell |last6=toy |author-link1=Emil G. Hirsch |author-link2=Ira Maurice Price |author-link3=Wilhelm Bacher |author-link4= Max Seligsohn |author-link5=Mary W. Montgomery |author-link6=Crawford Howell Toy |volume=11 |pages=436–448}}</ref>

According to 1 Kings 11:4,<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Kings|11:4|HE}}</ref> Solomon's "wives turned his heart after other gods", their own national deities, to whom Solomon built temples, thus incurring divine anger and retribution in the form of the division of the kingdom after Solomon's death.<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Kings|11:9–13|HE}}</ref>
1 Kings 11 describes Solomon's descent into idolatry, particularly his turning after [[Ashtoreth]], the goddess of the [[Sidonians]], and after [[Milcom]], the god of the [[Ammon]]ites.<ref>{{bibleverse |1|Kings|11|HE}}</ref> In Deuteronomy 17:16-17, a king is commanded not to multiply horses or wives, neither greatly multiply to himself gold or silver.<ref>{{bibleverse ||Deuteronomy|17:16–17|HE}}</ref> Solomon sinned in all three of these areas. In addition to his wives, he collected [[666 (number)|666]] [[talent (measurement)|talents]] of gold each year, a huge amount for a small nation like Israel.<ref>{{bibleverse |1|Kings|10:14|HE}}</ref> He gathered multitudes of horses and [[chariot]]s from as far as Egypt, and as Deuteronomy warns, took Israel back to Egypt in spirit.<ref>{{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|17|HE}}</ref>

[[File:De afgoderij van koning Salomo Rijksmuseum SK-A-757.jpeg|thumbnail|Solomon was said to have sinned  by acquiring many foreign wives. Solomon's descent into idolatry, [[Willem de Poorter]], [[Rijksmuseum]].]]

According to 1 Kings 11:30–34<ref>{{bibleverse |1|Kings|11:30–34|HE}}</ref> and 1 Kings 11:9-13,<ref>{{bibleverse |1|Kings|11:9–13|HE}}</ref> it was because of these sins that the Lord punished Solomon by removing most of the tribes of Israel from rule by Solomon's house.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20kings%2011&version=NIV|title=NIV 1 Kings 11 (Solomon's Wives)|publisher=Bible Gateway|access-date=2013-06-21}}</ref>
{{blockquote|And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the Lord commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, "Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. 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. However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen.}}

===Enemies===

Near the end of his life, Solomon was beset by several enemies, including [[Hadad the Edomite|Hadad]] of [[Edom]], [[Rezon the Syrian|Rezon]] of [[Zobah]], and his own official [[Jeroboam]] of the [[tribe of Ephraim]].

===Death, succession of Rehoboam, and kingdom division===
[[File:Kingdoms of Israel and Judah map 830.svg|thumb|The [[United Monarchy]] breaks up—Jeroboam rules [[Kingdom of Israel (Samaria)|Israel]] (blue) and [[Rehoboam]] rules [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]]]]
King Solomon is a central biblical figure, who, according to the [[Hebrew Bible]], was the builder of the [[First Temple]] in Jerusalem and the last ruler of the [[Kingdom of Israel (united monarchy)|united Kingdom of Israel]]. After a reign of forty years (1 Kings 11:42), he died of natural causes,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Kings.html |title=Ancient Jewish History: The Kings of Ancient Israel|encyclopedia=Jewish Virtual Library |access-date=2010-03-03}}</ref> at around 55 years of age.

Upon Solomon's death, his son, [[Rehoboam]], succeeded him, but ten of the [[Twelve Tribes of Israel|Tribes of Israel]] refused him as king, splitting the monarchy into the northern [[Kingdom of Israel (Samaria)|Kingdom of Israel]] under [[Jeroboam]], while Rehoboam continued to reign over the smaller southern [[Kingdom of Judah]]. Henceforth the two kingdoms were never again united.

Solomon is associated with the peak "golden age" of the independent Kingdom of Israel and is a legendary source of judicial and religious wisdom.

According to Jewish tradition, King Solomon wrote three [[books of the Bible]]:
* ''Mishlei'' ([[Book of Proverbs]]), a collection of fables and wisdom of life. 
* ''Kohelet'' ([[Ecclesiastes]]), a book of contemplation and self-reflection.
* ''Shir ha-Shirim'' ([[Song of Songs]]), a collection of erotic verse. The verse has been interpreted both literally (describing a romantic and sexual relationship between a man and a woman) and metaphorically (describing a relationship between God and his people).

The Hebrew word {{lang|he|לשלמה}} appears in the title of two hymns (72 and 127) in the [[Psalms]]. 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.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Gottlieb|first=Isaac|date=2010|title=Mashal Le-Melekh: The Search for Solomon|journal=Hebrew Studies|volume=51|pages=107–127 |doi=10.1353/hbr.2010.a400580 |s2cid=170687286 |via=Gale Literature Resource Center |issn=0146-4094}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Dahood |first=Mitchell|title=Psalms II, 51-100: Introduction, Translation, and Notes|publisher=Doubleday|year=1968|isbn=0-385-03759-7|location=New York|pages=179–180}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=The Anchor Bible|publisher=Doubleday |year=1964|location=New York|page=47}}</ref>