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Solomon....
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Our sources for the study of the life, reign, and
character of Solomon are III Kings I-ix; and II Par. i-ix. Solomon (Heb.
"peaceful"), also called Jedidiah, i. e., "beloved of Yahweh", was the
second son of David by his wife Bathsheba, and the acknowledged favourite of
his father. This may have been due partly to the fact that he, as a late
offspring, considerably younger than David's other sons, was born in his
father's old age, and partly to the intense love of David for Bathsheba and
the beautiful qualities of Solomon himself. Solomon was not the logical heir
to the throne, but David conferred it upon him instead of his older
brothers, and in doing so he committed no wrong according to Israelitish
ideas. Solomon was eighteen years old when he ascended the throne, or at
least no older than this, and his successful reign of forty years speaks
well for his intelligence, ability, and statesmanship. |
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Solomon and
baby
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His reign offers a striking contrast to that of his
father. It was almost entirely devoid of incident, and was marked by none of
the vicissitudes of fortune which were so notable a feature in the career of
David. Enjoying for the most part peaceful relations with foreign powers,
and set free from the troubles that menaced him at home,
Solomon was enabled
to devote himself fully to the internal organization of his kingdom and the
embellishment of his Court. In particular he gave much attention to the defence of the country (including the construction of fortresses), the
administration of justice, the development of trade, and the erection of a
national temple to the Almighty. |
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The building operations of Solomon were on a large scale
and of a remarkable magnitude and splendour. Besides the erection of a
magnificent temple he succeeded in emulating the great kings of Western Asia
and Egypt by building for himself in the city of Jerusalem, palaces, houses,
and gardens. In the erection of these, thirteen
years were spent as well as a large sum of money, while thousands of labourers and craftsmen were employed. The royal residence embraced several
distinct structures:
- the house of the forest of Lebanon (so named from the quantity of
cedar-wood used in it), which measured 100x50x30 cubits, and rested upon
three rows (so Sept.) of pillars (each row being composed of fifteen
columns) in addition to the external walls;
- the porch of pillars, 50x30 cubits;
- the porch of the throne (to which the last-mentioned may have served
as an ante-chamber), forming a judgment hall where the king's throne of
ivory and gold (III Kings, x, 18-20) was placed when he dispensed justice;
- the palace of Pharaoh's daughter, probably included within the court
just named.
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