Solomon, << SOL uh muhn >> (?-928? B.C.), was the third king of ancient Israel. He ruled from about 965 B.C. until his death. Solomon was the son of King David and Bathsheba. David had unified Israel and conquered many of its neighboring states. Solomon ruled this extensive kingdom, apparently without using military force.
Solomon was responsible for many public works, including the Temple and palace in his capital of Jerusalem. These magnificent structures served to establish the authority of the laws and government of Israel.
Information about Solomon comes chiefly from Biblical accounts in I Kings (1-11). The Bible describes Solomon’s unique role in the history of Israel. He was an international leader who reorganized and developed the large kingdom his father had conquered. Solomon apparently ruled with great diplomacy and personal wisdom. His reputation as a wise man probably comes from his skill in dealing with a variety of people in various difficult situations. According to a tradition that developed after the Biblical period, he composed many songs and proverbs as well as three books of the Hebrew Bible–Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, and the Song of Solomon.
Solomon’s success in maintaining his empire was based on his administrative skills. He reorganized the various government departments his father had established. He also organized Israel into 12 districts, appointing his own prefect (governor) for each one.
Solomon helped establish peace on Israel’s borders. According to the Bible, he carried out this policy by marrying or taking as mistresses many women from nearby states, including the daughter of the powerful pharaoh of Egypt. Solomon also formed a close alliance with Hiram, the king of Tyre, a Phoenician city on the Mediterranean Sea. Hiram sent Solomon building materials from Lebanon in return for agricultural products from Israel. The two kings also collaborated in building a navy and in organizing large trading fleets.
After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam became king. However, most of the tribes of Israel rebelled against Rehoboam’s rule and formed a new kingdom. Jeroboam, the leader of the revolt, became their king. Rehoboam remained king only of the southernmost tribes. Some historians believe that the other tribes rejected Rehoboam because Solomon had imposed forced labor and heavy taxes on them. Solomon had used this money and labor to carry out his numerous building projects.
