Solomon c.962-922BC
King of Israel

The reign of Solomon, who was the second son of David and Bathsheba, is described in 1 Kings 1-11 and 2 Chronicles 1-10. It is characterized by expansion in trade and political contacts, by an elaborate building programme, and by the centralization of authority in the Crown. His predecessor David had subdued the neighbouring Aramaeans, and the major kingdoms of the Near East were all in a relatively weak state, especially Egypt under the last kings of Tanis, and Assyria under the ineffectual Tiglath-Pileser II. Solomon strengthened his army more as a warning than as an intention, and was free for most of his reign from the need to undertake extensive military campaigns. He built up a corps of chariots and founded chariot cities (1 Kings 10.26), of which those at Gezer, Megiddo and Hazor have been excavated.

Solomon developed trade links with Phoenicia, Egypt, South Arabia, and in the north in Syria and Cilicia. He married Pharaoh's daughter, and developed relations with Hiram of Tyre. The principal building in Jerusalem was the Temple and royal palace, both described in detail in 1 Kings. To finance this programme, Solomon reorganized the administrative districts of Israel, reducing the old tribal loyalties and increasing revenues to the Crown. He also subjugated the Canaanite population, drafting many of them into his workforces.

Apart from his building, Solomon is famous especially for his wisdom, as shown in the story of the two prostitutes (1 Kings 3.16-28); as a legendary wise man several books were later attributed to him, including the Song of Solomon, the Wisdom of Solomon, Proverbs, and some of the Psalms. There was also a Book of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11.41), but nothing further is known of it. In later Jewish and Muslim literature he was believed to control the spirits of the invisible world.

The heavy burden of taxation entailed by the luxury of the court bred the discontent that led in the reign of Solomon's son Rehoboam to the disruption of the kingdom; and the king's alliance with heathen courts and his idolatrous queens and concubines provoked the discontent of the Prophetic Party.

Among Solomon's contacts in the Arabian world was the queen of a country called Sheba, a country that makes its first appearance in history in this connection. The Queen of Sheba was the ruler of the Sabeans, a people who seem to have occupied a part of SW Arabia (modern Yemen), though they are placed by some in N Arabia.

She journeyed to Jerusalem to test the wisdom of Solomon and exchange extravagant gifts, such as spices, gold and jewels, although this may imply a trade pact. The story, as told in 1 Kings 10 and 2 Chronicles 9, describes the splendour of Solomon's court and extols his great wisdom, thus emphasizing the growing importance of Jerusalem and depicting the sagacious and diplomatic nature of international relations in the ancient Near East.

The story of the Queen of Sheba and Solomon can also be read in the Qur'an. According to later, Ethiopian tradition, the couple married and their son founded the royal dynasty of Ethiopia.

Bibliography: Eugene H Maly, World of Solomon and David (1966).