Solomon

Solomon is born to David and Bathsheba in Jerusalem. His name means 'peace.' The Lord loves him and sends word through the prophet Nathan, giving him the name Jedidiah, meaning 'loved by the Lord.'

As David nears death and Adonijah attempts to seize the throne, Bathsheba and Nathan intervene. David commands that Solomon be anointed king at Gihon. Solomon rides David's mule, is anointed by Zadok the priest, and the people rejoice.

Solomon goes to Gibeon to sacrifice. God appears in a dream and offers to give Solomon whatever he asks. Solomon requests an understanding heart to govern the people and discern between good and evil.

Two prostitutes come before Solomon, each claiming a living baby as her own. Solomon orders the child cut in two. The true mother renounces her claim to save the child. All Israel hears and sees that God's wisdom is in Solomon.

Solomon begins building the temple in the fourth year of his reign, 480 years after the Exodus. Using cedars from Lebanon and skilled craftsmen, he constructs a magnificent house for God that takes seven years to complete.

Solomon dedicates the temple with an extensive prayer and sacrifices. The glory of the Lord fills the temple as a cloud. God appears to Solomon again, promising to hear prayers made toward this house but warning of consequences if Israel turns away.

The Queen of Sheba travels from Arabia to test Solomon's wisdom with hard questions. She is overwhelmed by his wisdom, wealth, and the quality of his kingdom, declaring that the reports she heard were not even half the truth.

Solomon's annual gold income is 666 talents. He makes silver as common as stones in Jerusalem and cedars as plentiful as sycamores. He has 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen. Kings from all over seek his wisdom.

Solomon loves many foreign women despite God's warning. He has 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. His wives turn his heart to other gods. He builds high places for Chemosh, Molech, and other deities.

God is angry with Solomon because his heart has turned away despite two divine appearances. God declares He will tear most of the kingdom from Solomon's son, leaving only one tribe for David's sake and for Jerusalem's sake.

Solomon reigns in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. He dies and is buried in the City of David. His son Rehoboam succeeds him, but the kingdom soon divides as God prophesied.