Solomon
maleUnited KingdomMeaning: “Peace; peaceful”
The son of David and Bathsheba, third king of Israel, famed for his God-given wisdom, his building of the temple, and the prosperity of his reign.
Biography
Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, reigned over Israel at the height of its glory. Renowned for wisdom, wealth, and the building of the temple, his life is also a sober lesson in how prosperity and compromise can erode a faithful start.
A gift of wisdom
When God appeared to Solomon at Gibeon and offered him anything, he asked for "an understanding heart to judge thy people" (1 Kings 3:9). God granted wisdom and also riches and honor (1 Kings 3:12–13). His famous judgment between two women claiming one child displayed this wisdom, so that "all Israel… feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him" (1 Kings 3:28).
The temple builder
Solomon's crowning achievement was the temple in Jerusalem, built over seven years as a permanent house for the LORD (1 Kings 6). At its dedication he prayed one of Scripture's great prayers and the glory of the LORD filled the house (1 Kings 8). He also built his palace and fortified cities, and Israel enjoyed peace "from Dan even to Beersheba" (1 Kings 4:25).
Wealth, fame, and writings
The queen of Sheba came to test him and declared the half had not been told her (1 Kings 10:7). Tradition credits Solomon with Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon — wisdom on living, the vanity of life "under the sun," and love.
Decline
Yet Solomon "loved many strange women" (1 Kings 11:1), and his foreign wives turned his heart to other gods. The LORD announced that the kingdom would be torn from his son (1 Kings 11:11). After his death the nation split. Solomon's reign shows both the heights of God-given wisdom and the danger of a divided heart.
Life Timeline
Becomes king after David; asks God for wisdom
Begins building the temple in Jerusalem
Dedicates the temple; God’s glory fills the house
Hosts the queen of Sheba
Dies after a 40-year reign; the kingdom soon divides
On the Bible timeline
Solomon belongs to the The United Monarchy era (c. 1050 – 930 BC).
- c. 1010 – 970 BCDavid's Reign
- c. 966 BCSolomon's Temple Built
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
Family Tree
Drag to pan · use + / − to zoom · tap the + on a relative to expand a generation · click anyone to open their page
Themes & lessons from Solomon
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Solomon appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
9 verses in 4 books2 Samuel1 verse
2 Samuel 12:24
And David comforted Bath–sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him.
1 Kings6 verses
1 Kings 3:9
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
1 Kings 3:12
Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
1 Kings 6:1
And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord.
1 Kings 8:11
So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.
1 Kings 10:1
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions.
1 Kings 11:1
But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
Proverbs1 verse
Proverbs 1:1
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
Ecclesiastes1 verse
Ecclesiastes 1:2
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Frequently asked about Solomon
Who was Solomon in the Bible?
The son of David and Bathsheba, third king of Israel, famed for his God-given wisdom, his building of the temple, and the prosperity of his reign.
What does the name Solomon mean?
The name Solomon means “Peace; peaceful”.
What did Solomon do in the Bible?
Solomon served as king, builder, sage, of the tribe of Judah.
Who were Solomon's children?
Solomon's children include Rehoboam.
Who were Solomon's parents?
Solomon was the child of David, Bathsheba.
Where does Solomon appear in the Bible?
Solomon is mentioned 9 times across 4 books: 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes.
What can we learn from Solomon?
The story of Solomon touches on themes of solomon, dreams, prayer, answers to, temple, the first — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Solomon's life.
Sermon Mate
Teaching on Solomon?
Organize your sermon notes, link Scripture passages, and build your outline in Sermon Mate — the workspace for ministry leaders.
Open Sermon Mate →