Solomon

Solomon (d.922 B.C.), second son of David and Bathsheba. He ruled ancient Israel c.970–933 B.C. at the height of its prosperity, and gained a reputation for great wisdom. His success in establishing lucrative foreign trade and his introduction at home of taxation and forced labor enabled him to finance a massive building program that included a temple and royal palaces on an unprecedented scale of opulence. His story is told in I Kings 1–11 and II Chronicles 1–9 of the Old Testament. Biblical writings later attributed to him include Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.

See also: Old Testament.