King Solomon in the Bible: His Temple, Wives and More
Solomon was the final king of the unified nation of Israel, known for building the first temple. Learn about his renowned wisdom including famous Bible quotes we can benefit from today.
SHARE King Solomon authored multiple books in the Old Testament, ruled over Israel, and is known for his wisdom from the Lord. How did he come to power and why was he blessed with such notable discernment? Learn about the life, lessons, and legacy of King Solomon.King Solomon: Table of ContentsWho Was King Solomon?Famous Bible QuotesWhat Was King Solomon Known For?How Old Was King Solomon When He Became King?King Solomon's WivesKing Solomon's TempleSon of DavidKing Solomon's WealthKing Solomon's RingQueen of ShebaProverbs, Ecclesiastes, & Song of SolomonKing Solomon's MistakesKing Solomon in the BibleWho Was King Solomon?Solomon was the third and final king of the unified nation of Israel, succeeding King Saul and King David. He was the son of David and Bathsheba, the former wife of Uriah the Hittite whom David had killed to cover his infidelity with Bathsheba while her husband was on the battlefront. Solomon wrote the Song of Solomon, the book of Ecclesiastes, and much of the book of Proverbs. His writing of Ecclesiastes is disputed by some, but Solomon is the only “son of David” to be “king over Israel in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 1:1-12), and many of the descriptions of the author fit Solomon well. Solomon ruled for 40 years (1 Kings 11:42).Famous Bible Quotes from King Solomon"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." ~ Proverbs 3:5"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." ~ Proverbs 27:17"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." ~ Proverbs 12:15"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." ~ Proverbs 1:7"Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." ~ Proverbs 31:9What Was King Solomon Known For?King Solomon is still celebrated for his exceptional wisdom. When Solomon rose to the throne, he sought after God, and God allowed him to request whatever he desired. Solomon humbly recognized his inability to rule well and nobly asked God for the wisdom he would need to govern God’s people righteously.King Solomon's wisdom is a central theme in the Bible, highlighted by the famous judgment involving two women who come to King Solomon, both claiming to be the mother of the same baby. They live in the same house, and each gave birth to a son within days of each other. However, one of the infants dies, and both women assert that the living child is hers. The two women present their case before Solomon. Their conflicting claims create a dilemma, and Solomon is faced with the task of discerning the true mother. In a moment of brilliant wisdom, Solomon proposes a solution to determine the genuine mother. He suggests cutting the living baby in two and giving each woman half. The real mother, in her love and compassion, immediately offers to give up her claim to save the child's life. The other woman, without hesitation, agrees to Solomon's proposal. Solomon, perceiving the genuine mother's love and selflessness, intervenes decisively. He declares that the living child should be given to the woman who pleaded for his life, recognizing her as the true mother. The people witness Solomon's divine wisdom and are in awe of his ability to discern the truth in a challenging situation. The story, found in 1 Kings 3:16-28, demonstrates Solomon's discernment and practical wisdom. His proposal to divide the child aimed not only to expose the true mother but also showcased Solomon's deep understanding of human nature and justice.How Old Was Solomon When He Became King?The age at which King Solomon ascended to the throne is not explicitly mentioned. However, it is established that Solomon succeeded his father, King David, as king of Israel. According to 1 Kings 2:10-12, David reigned over Israel for 40 years, and Solomon took the throne after his father's death. Consequently, it is estimated that Solomon was relatively young when he became king, likely in his late teens or early twenties.Solomon's youthfulness becomes significant when considering his personal choices, particularly in matters of marriage and alliances with foreign nations. Solomon's lack of seasoned discernment might have influenced his decisions to form alliances through marriages, ultimately leading to spiritual compromise.King Solomon's WivesUnfortunately, Solomon's private life was marked by a departure from God's commands, particularly in the realm of relationships. Despite God's explicit instructions against marrying foreign wives who might lead him astray, Solomon married many foreign women, including Pharaoh's daughter (1 Kings 3:1, 1 Kings 11:1). These marriages were not merely for diplomatic reasons but were often motivated by political alliances. Solomon accumulated a vast harem, with 700 wives and 300 concubines, a departure from God's design for marriage as outlined in Genesis."King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonia...