King Solomon שלמה המלך
the third king of Israel, builder of the First Temple
Solomon came to the throne in 2924, very young. At Givon God appeared to him in a dream: «Ask what I shall give you.» He asked not for wealth or long life but for «an understanding heart to judge the people», and received the rest too.
His reputation began with the judgement of two women over one child: the order to cut it in half revealed the true mother. Under him the kingdom reached its widest extent, «Judah and Israel dwelt in safety, each under his vine», and people came to Jerusalem to learn, the Queen of Sheba among them.
The work of his life was the Temple. Building began in 2928, his fourth year, took seven years, and the dedication came in 2935. His dedication prayer is a model of Jewish prayer: he asks that the House be open also to the foreigner who comes from far away.
Three biblical books are ascribed to him. His last years are marred by foreign wives and their cults, for which the split of the kingdom was decreed. He died in 2964.