Solomon
Solomon in the Bible
Solomon is the son of David and Bathsheba who succeeds David as king. He is especially associated with wisdom, the building of the Jerusalem temple, great wealth, and a later decline connected with foreign wives and idolatry.
Solomon at a Glance
Key Bible Passages About Solomon
Old Testament
1 Kings 1:28–40
David orders Solomon’s anointing as king.
1 Kings 3:5–28
Solomon asks for wisdom and demonstrates judicial discernment.
1 Kings 6:1–38
Solomon builds the temple in Jerusalem.
1 Kings 8:22–61
Solomon prays at the dedication of the temple.
1 Kings 10:1–13
The queen of Sheba tests Solomon’s wisdom.
1 Kings 11:1–13
Solomon’s wives turn his heart toward other gods.
New Testament
Matthew 6:28–29
Jesus refers to Solomon’s glory.
Matthew 12:42
Jesus refers to Solomon’s wisdom in comparison with himself.
Acts 7:47–50
Stephen recalls Solomon building the temple.
The Story of Solomon
Solomon is born to David and Bathsheba after the death of their first child. Near the end of David’s life, Solomon becomes the focus of a succession struggle when Adonijah attempts to claim the throne. David orders Solomon’s public anointing, and Solomon succeeds him.
Early in his reign, Solomon asks God for an understanding heart to judge the people. His wisdom becomes internationally famous. He organizes the kingdom, undertakes major building projects, and constructs the temple in Jerusalem. The dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8 is one of the central events of his reign.
First Kings also presents the darker side of Solomon’s rule: heavy demands, enormous accumulation of wealth, many foreign wives, and religious compromise. His wives turn his heart toward other gods, and the narrative connects this unfaithfulness with the coming division of the kingdom after his death.
Later Scripture remembers Solomon as a benchmark for wisdom, wealth, and royal splendor. Jesus refers to Solomon’s wisdom and glory, while Acts recalls him as the builder of the temple.
Where Does Solomon Appear in the Bible?
Old Testament
1 Kings 1–2MAJOR APPEARANCE
Solomon succeeds David and secures the throne.
1 Kings 3–4MAJOR APPEARANCE
Solomon receives wisdom and establishes his administration.
1 Kings 5–8MAJOR APPEARANCE
Solomon builds and dedicates the temple.
1 Kings 9–10MAJOR APPEARANCE
Solomon’s wealth, projects, and international reputation are described.
1 Kings 11MAJOR APPEARANCE
Solomon’s religious compromise and the coming division of the kingdom are narrated.
2 Chronicles 1–9MAJOR APPEARANCE
Chronicles retells Solomon’s reign with strong emphasis on the temple.
New Testament
Matthew 6:29; 12:42
Jesus refers to Solomon’s splendor and wisdom.
Acts 7:47
Stephen identifies Solomon as the temple builder.
Historical & Cultural Context
Solomon rules from Jerusalem after David has consolidated the monarchy. His reign is marked by international trade, diplomacy, building programs, centralized administration, and the construction of the temple.
Literary Role
Solomon functions as both an idealized wise king and a warning. Kings praises his God-given wisdom while using his later religious compromise to explain why the united kingdom will not remain intact.
Character & Significance
Solomon stands at the height of Israel’s united monarchy and at the beginning of its fracture. His story deliberately holds together remarkable wisdom and achievement with serious covenant failure.
Important People in Solomon’s Life
David
Father and predecessorDavid establishes the dynasty and appoints Solomon as successor.
Bathsheba
MotherBathsheba helps secure Solomon’s succession.
Nathan
Prophet and supporterNathan participates in the succession crisis that leads to Solomon’s anointing.
Rehoboam
Son and successorRehoboam succeeds Solomon, after which the kingdom divides.
Queen of Sheba
Royal visitorShe tests Solomon with difficult questions and praises his wisdom.
The Life and Story of Solomon
Chosen as David’s Successor
Solomon is publicly anointed during Adonijah’s attempted succession.
Asks for Wisdom
Solomon asks God for discernment.
Builds the Temple
Solomon constructs the Jerusalem temple.
Dedicates the Temple
Solomon leads the dedication and prays.
Queen of Sheba Visits
Solomon’s wisdom gains international recognition.
Religious Compromise
Solomon’s heart turns toward other gods.
Death and Succession
Solomon dies and Rehoboam succeeds him.
Research Questions About Solomon
How can Solomon be both exceptionally wise and seriously unfaithful?
Read 1 Kings 3–11 as a complete royal portrait rather than treating wisdom as a guarantee of obedience.
How does the New Testament use Solomon?
Compare Jesus’ references to Solomon’s glory and wisdom with Stephen’s reference to the temple.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solomon
Who was Solomon in the Bible?
Solomon was a son of David and Bathsheba who became king of Israel and built the First Temple in Jerusalem.
What was Solomon known for?
He was especially known for wisdom, wealth, royal splendor, and building the temple.
Why did Solomon’s kingdom divide?
1 Kings connects the coming division to Solomon’s religious unfaithfulness, while the actual political split occurs under his son Rehoboam.
Does Jesus mention Solomon?
Yes. Jesus refers to Solomon’s glory and wisdom in Matthew and Luke.
Citing This BibleVerses.com Research Guide
Citation styles vary by instructor and institution. These are convenient starting points; students should follow their assigned style guide.
“Solomon: Life, Story, Bible Verses & Significance.” BibleVerses.com, https://www.bibleverses.com/people/solomon/. Accessed September 30, 2026.
BibleVerses.com. “Solomon: Life, Story, Bible Verses & Significance.” Accessed September 30, 2026. https://www.bibleverses.com/people/solomon/.
When citing Scripture itself, cite the Bible translation and passage separately according to your required style.
