The Reign of Solomon

The Reign of Solomon

Four primary markers characterize Solomon’s kingship over Israel as presented in the book of Kings: his superlative wisdom, his remarkable prosperity, his accomplishment of building the temple, and his penchant for marrying foreign women. Solomon’s wisdom is described as a gift from God in fulfillment of Solomon’s prayer (1 Kgs. 3:12), and God provides the riches as a kind of “bonus” for a right request (1 Kgs. 3:13). The famous “split the baby” story of 1 Kings 3:16–28, in which Solomon judges a case brought by one prostitute against another, provides a stirring example of his wisdom on the “home front,” within the land of Israel…