Solomon was the son David gave to Bathsheba to comfort her for the loss of her firstborn. He became king of Israel when he was approximately 20 years old in a makeshift ceremony intended to squash his half brother Adonijah's pretense to the throne. Some time afterwards the Lord came to Solomon in a vision and offered him the gift of his choice. The young king pleased the Lord by asking for wisdom to guide his people. Therefore God made Solomon wiser than anyone either before or after him. He also promised him riches and fame greater than that of any living king.
Solomon became renown for his knowledge of the natural world and human nature. It is said that he had the gift of prophecy and the ability to speak and understand the languages of birds and animals. His wisdom allowed him to write Ecclesiastes; the Song of Solomon; many of the Proverbs; Psalm 27 and 127; and the Wisdom of Solomon. He built the Temple designed by his father David in Jerusalem. He presided over the golden age of Israel. For the most part, he lived in peace with the nations around him. It is written that he "made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone" (2 Chr 9:27).
He had 700 wives and 300 concubines who it is said led him astray. He built shrines for their gods to please them. Then, at the end of his life, he began worshiping their foreign gods.
1 Kings 1-11; 1 Chron 28 - 2 Chron 9; 2 Sam 12:24-25; Mt 1:6-7; 12:42; 6:28-30; Lk 11:31; 12:27
All scripture quotes are from the REB Bible unless otherwise indicated.
Comments© 1998 by Suzetta Tucker
To cite this page:
Tucker, Suzetta. "Jesse Tree Advent Calendar - December 17
- Solomon." ChristStory Christian Bestiary. 1998.
http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/legend01/17solomo.htm ().