Solomon

Solomon was born to David and Bathsheba after the death of their first child. His name means "peaceful," and God also called him Jedidiah, "beloved of the Lord." He became king through court intrigue when his older brother Adonijah tried to seize the throne.

Early in his reign, God appeared to Solomon in a dream, offering to give him whatever he asked. Solomon requested wisdom to govern God's people well. Pleased that Solomon hadn't asked for wealth, long life, or victory over enemies, God granted him unparalleled wisdom—and threw in riches and honor as well. His wisdom became legendary, demonstrated in the famous case of two women claiming the same baby.

Solomon's greatest achievement was building the temple his father David had planned. The magnificent structure took seven years to complete, using the finest materials and most skilled craftsmen. At its dedication, the glory of the Lord filled the temple so intensely that the priests couldn't stand to minister. Solomon's prayer of dedication remains one of the great prayers of Scripture.

Solomon's reign brought unprecedented prosperity, but his 700 wives and 300 concubines—many from foreign nations—turned his heart toward other gods. The wise king became foolish in old age, building high places for his wives' idols. As judgment, God decreed that the kingdom would be torn from Solomon's son, leaving him only one tribe for David's sake. The book of Ecclesiastes may reflect Solomon's later, wiser perspective on his own vanity.