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Solomon, the third king of ancient Israel, was strikingly different in personality from his father, David. Popular associations regarding him concern his wisdom, the magnificence of his court, and his many wives. But very little is forthcoming about the nature of the man himself. While David is revealed to us in all his human strengths and weaknesses, Solomon has remained a kind of symbol. He is an idealized figure, commonly pictured in garments of royal purple, sitting upon a throne of legendary splendor. We visualize him entertaining the Queen of Sheba at a sumptuous feast and regaling her with clever stories and conundrums. Or we imagine him in a more serious role, rendering judgments in the royal courtroom in a fashion that is synonymous with wisdom and justice.
The popular fantasies about Solomon present a curious enigma. Though we tend to view him as leading the rather indolent life of an Oriental monarch, much given to pleasure and pastime, we know it was under Solomon's regime that Israel was transformed from a provincial people to a cosmopolitan nation, related to other countries by far-flung trade routes over land and sea. His era was one of peace and prosperity, marked by ambitious building projects, the exploitation of mines, a tremendous increase in commerce and trade, and a growing urbanization of the people. Yet the forces that Solomon set in motion led to an economic and political collapse of the kingdom, and certain aspects of his personality left a significant impact of a negative kind on the moral and religious life of the people.
Another rather striking incongruity appears when one views the material of this king's life story. Although Solomon is known for his