Who was Solomon?
Son of David who reigned forty years over Israel, was famed for wisdom and wealth, and built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.
The story of Solomon
Solomon is the son of David and Bathsheba who succeeds his father as king of Israel. He is born in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:14), and Scripture says the LORD loved him (2 Samuel 12:24). When his older brother Adonijah claims the throne, Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba remind David of his oath that Solomon will reign after him (1 Kings 1:13).
David has Zadok the priest anoint Solomon at Gihon, and the people shout, God save king Solomon (1 Kings 1:39). After David's death the kingdom is established in Solomon's hand, and Adonijah is put to death by Benaiah (1 Kings 2:25; 1 Kings 2:46). At Gibeon the LORD appears to him in a dream.
Solomon asks for an understanding heart, and God gives him a wise heart along with riches and honour (1 Kings 3:5-13). His wisdom excels that of the east and of Egypt, and he speaks three thousand proverbs (1 Kings 4:30-32). He reigns over kingdoms from the river to the land of the Philistines and the border of Egypt (1 Kings 4:21).
With cedar from Hiram king of Tyre he builds the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and the ark is brought into it with great sacrifices (1 Kings 5:10; 1 Kings 8:5). The queen of Sheba comes to test him with hard questions (1 Kings 10:1-2). When he is old, his many wives turn his heart after other gods, and he builds high places for Chemosh and Molech (1 Kings 11:4; 1 Kings 11:7).
God therefore declares that the kingdom will be torn from his son, except for one tribe (1 Kings 11:11-13). He reigns forty years in Jerusalem, is buried in the city of David, and is succeeded by his son Rehoboam (1 Kings 11:42-43). Proverbs and the Song of Solomon bear his name in their opening verses (Proverbs 1:1; Song of Solomon 1:1), and tradition also links Ecclesiastes to him.
In the New Testament Jesus speaks of Solomon in all his glory and says that a greater than Solomon is here (Matthew 6:29; Matthew 12:42).
- Name meaning
- Peace
- Name origin
- Hebrew
- Role
- King of Israel
- First mention
- 2 Samuel 5:14
- Appearances in the Bible
- 274 mentions
Solomon in the Bible
Chapters that mention Solomon
- 2 Samuel 5
- 2 Samuel 12
- 1 Kings 1
- 1 Kings 2
- 1 Kings 3
- 1 Kings 4
- 1 Kings 5
- 1 Kings 6
- 1 Kings 7
- 1 Kings 8
- 1 Kings 9
- 1 Kings 10
- 1 Kings 11
- 1 Kings 12
- 1 Kings 14
- 2 Kings 21
- 2 Kings 23
- 2 Kings 24
- 2 Kings 25
- 1 Chronicles 3
- 1 Chronicles 6
- 1 Chronicles 14
- 1 Chronicles 18
- 1 Chronicles 22
- 1 Chronicles 23
- 1 Chronicles 28
- 1 Chronicles 29
- 2 Chronicles 1
- 2 Chronicles 2
- 2 Chronicles 3
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Coloring pages with Solomon
Questions about Solomon
Who was Solomon in the Bible?
Solomon is the son of David and Bathsheba who succeeds his father as king of Israel. He is born in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:14), and Scripture says the LORD loved him (2 Samuel 12:24). When his older brother Adonijah claims the throne, Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba remind David of his oath that Solomon will reign after him (1 Kings 1:13). David has Zadok the priest anoint Solomon at Gihon, and the people shout, God save king Solomon (1 Kings 1:39). After David's death the kingdom is established in Solomon's hand, and Adonijah is put to death by Benaiah (1 Kings 2:25; 1 Kings 2:46). At Gibeon the LORD appears to him in a dream. Solomon asks for an understanding heart, and God gives him a wise heart along with riches and honour (1 Kings 3:5-13). His wisdom excels that of the east and of Egypt, and he speaks three thousand proverbs (1 Kings 4:30-32). He reigns over kingdoms from the river to the land of the Philistines and the border of Egypt (1 Kings 4:21). With cedar from Hiram king of Tyre he builds the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and the ark is brought into it with great sacrifices (1 Kings 5:10; 1 Kings 8:5). The queen of Sheba comes to test him with hard questions (1 Kings 10:1-2). When he is old, his many wives turn his heart after other gods, and he builds high places for Chemosh and Molech (1 Kings 11:4; 1 Kings 11:7). God therefore declares that the kingdom will be torn from his son, except for one tribe (1 Kings 11:11-13). He reigns forty years in Jerusalem, is buried in the city of David, and is succeeded by his son Rehoboam (1 Kings 11:42-43). Proverbs and the Song of Solomon bear his name in their opening verses (Proverbs 1:1; Song of Solomon 1:1), and tradition also links Ecclesiastes to him. In the New Testament Jesus speaks of Solomon in all his glory and says that a greater than Solomon is here (Matthew 6:29; Matthew 12:42).
What does the name Solomon mean?
The name Solomon means “Peace”. Origin: Hebrew.
Where is Solomon first mentioned in the Bible?
Solomon is first mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:14.
How many times is Solomon mentioned in the Bible?
Number of mentions in the Bible: 274.
Who was the spouse of Solomon?
Spouse: Naamah.
Who were the children of Solomon?
Children: Rehoboam.
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