Solomon

Solomon was born to David and Bathsheba, their second son together after the death of their first child. Despite being far from the eldest of David's sons, Solomon was chosen by God and appointed by David to succeed him as king. His name, meaning 'peace,' reflected the peaceful reign he would enjoy in contrast to his father's military campaigns.

Early in his reign, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and offered to give him whatever he asked. Rather than requesting wealth, long life, or victory over enemies, Solomon asked for wisdom and discernment to govern God's people justly. This request pleased God, who gave Solomon not only unparalleled wisdom but also riches and honor beyond any other king.

Solomon's wisdom became legendary throughout the known world. When two women came before him both claiming to be the mother of the same baby, Solomon proposed cutting the child in half. The true mother immediately offered to give the baby to the other woman rather than see him killed, revealing her identity. This demonstration of Solomon's discernment spread his fame far and wide. He composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs, authored several biblical books, and people came from all nations to hear his wisdom.

Solomon's greatest achievement was building the magnificent temple in Jerusalem that his father David had dreamed of constructing. For seven years, skilled craftsmen worked to create a glorious house for God, overlaid with gold and filled with carefully crafted furnishings. At the temple's dedication, Solomon offered a beautiful prayer and God's glory filled the temple so powerfully that the priests couldn't enter. This temple became the center of Israel's worship for nearly 400 years.

Solomon established extensive trade relationships, built a powerful fleet of ships, and accumulated vast wealth. The Queen of Sheba traveled from afar to test his wisdom and was overwhelmed by what she saw. Yet Solomon's success contained the seeds of his downfall. He married 700 wives and had 300 concubines, many from foreign nations, directly violating God's commands. These women turned his heart toward their gods, and Solomon built high places for foreign deities.

In his later years, Solomon's heart was no longer fully devoted to the Lord. God declared that He would tear the kingdom from Solomon's son, though for David's sake He would leave one tribe to Solomon's descendants. Solomon died after reigning forty years, and his son Rehoboam's foolishness led to the kingdom's division. Solomon's life demonstrates that wisdom must be accompanied by wholehearted devotion to God, and that compromise with the world's values leads to spiritual decline.