Solomon

Solomon most commonly refers to Solomon, a biblical king of ancient Israel and Judah, traditionally dated to the 10th century BCE. He was the son of King David and is described as ruling a united kingdom from Jerusalem, authorizing the construction of the First Temple, and overseeing a period of prosperity and foreign diplomacy. He is famed for wisdom, and biblical attributions link him to much of the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible, including Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs, though modern scholarship treats authorship and dating as debated.

In religious traditions, Solomon is a central figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism and Christianity, he embodies wise governance and architectural achievement, notably the temple in Jerusalem. In Islam, he is known as Sulayman, a Prophet and king endowed with authority over wind, jinn, and animals, and he features in stories such as his encounter with the Queen of Sheba.

Historically, the existence and extent of Solomon’s reign are topics of scholarly debate. Biblical accounts are primary sources but are supplemented by later writings and archaeological interpretations. Some historians view the United Monarchy as smaller or more complex than the biblical portrayal, leading to ongoing discussions about chronology, polity, and material culture of the era.

The name Solomon is also used for various people and places. Notably, the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean are named after the biblical king by early European explorers; the archipelago is a sovereign state whose capital is Honiara.