Solomon
He asked God for wisdom, and still lost his way.
Old Testament · c. 970–930 BC · 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon · Also known as Son of David, King of Israel
About Solomon
Solomon, son of David and Bathsheba, became king of Israel. When God offered him anything, he asked for "an understanding heart" to judge the people, and God gave him wisdom, riches and honour. He built the temple in Jerusalem, and rulers came from far away to hear his wisdom. But in his old age his many wives "turned away his heart after other gods," and after his death the kingdom split in two.
Solomon’s reign was remembered as Israel’s golden age of peace and building. The books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles describe both his splendour and his failures. Proverbs credits much of its wisdom to him, though other contributors are named too.
The story
Ask what I shall give thee
God appeared to Solomon in a dream: "Ask what I shall give thee." Solomon said he was "but a little child," and asked: "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people." God was pleased, and gave him riches and honour as well.
1 Kings 3:5-14
Two mothers, one baby
Two women each claimed the same baby. Solomon called for a sword and ordered the child divided. The real mother cried out to give the baby to the other woman instead. Solomon knew her by her love. "They saw that the wisdom of God was in him."
1 Kings 3:16-28
The temple
Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, and at its dedication he prayed, "Will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?"
1 Kings 8:22-30
The Queen of Sheba
The Queen of Sheba came with hard questions and a great caravan. After seeing it all, she said, "The half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard."
1 Kings 10:1-9
A heart turned away
Solomon married many foreign wives, against God’s command. "When Solomon was old… his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father." After his death the kingdom divided.
1 Kings 11:1-13
Key moments
- Becomes king: Anointed while David still lived. (1 Kings 1:39)
- Asks for wisdom: "An understanding heart." (1 Kings 3:9)
- The wise judgment: Two mothers, one child. (1 Kings 3:28)
- Dedicates the temple: "Will God indeed dwell on the earth?" (1 Kings 8:27)
- Heart turned away: The kingdom later divides. (1 Kings 11:4)
Questions about Solomon
In meetBible these answers are given in Solomon’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why did you ask for wisdom?
I told God plainly, "I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in," and that I was in charge of a great people. So I asked, "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad." God was pleased that I hadn’t asked for long life or riches.
How did you decide between the two mothers?
Both women claimed the living child. I called for a sword and ordered the child divided between them. One woman cried out to give the child to the other rather than see him die; the other agreed to divide him. I said, "Give her the living child… she is the mother thereof." Love showed the truth.
Did you write Proverbs?
Proverbs opens, "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel," and 1 Kings says I spoke three thousand proverbs. But Proverbs also names other writers, such as Agur and King Lemuel, and Ecclesiastes is credited to "the Preacher, the son of David" without giving a name. So many proverbs are linked to me, not every word.
Connected people
- David: Father
- Jesus: "A greater than Solomon"
- Bathsheba: Mother
- Nathan: Prophet who backed him
- Queen of Sheba: Royal visitor
Read it yourself
Start with 1 Kings 3.