King Solomon and the Iron Worker, Christian Schussele, 1863. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
king solomon
king of israel, 970-931 BCE
King Solomon was one of the great kings of the United Monarchy. Son of King David and Queen Bathsheba, Solomon is credited with building the First Temple in Jerusalem. He is traditionally understood as the wisest of the kings of Israel, who brought great prosperity to his kingdom through trade and alliances. There is scant archaeological evidence that he ever really existed, however, leaving much speculation about his era.