Solomon (sŏl'o-mon), pacific. The son of David by Bathsheba, and the third king of Israel. 2 Samuel 12:24; 1 Chronicles 22:9; Matthew 1:6; 1 Kings 2:12. He was also called the wisest of men, and Jedidiah = friend of Jehovah. 2 Samuel 12:24-25; 1 Kings 4:29-30; 1 Kings 7:51; 1 Kings 10:1; 1 Kings 11:41-43; 2 Chronicles 9:1-31. David voluntarily resigned the government to Solomon, giving him at the same time a solemn charge respecting the administration of it. 1 Kings 2:1-11. Solomon was celebrated for his wealth, splendor, and wisdom. The great event of his reign, however, was the erection of the temple at Jerusalem. 1 Kings 5:1-18. Solomon also established a navy of snips at the port of Ezion-geber, on the Red Sea. 1 Kings 9:26-28. Jerusalem, the capital of his vast dominions, became renowned for wealth and splendor. Matthew 6:29; Matthew 12:42; Acts 7:47. His arbitrary exercise of the royal power, however, his numerous harem, the introduction of cavalry, the expenditure of the royal house, and his toleration of idolatry in the land of Jehovah, led him into weak and sinful indulgences. 1 Kings 11:1-11; 1 Kings 12:1-4. The prosperity of his reign was interrupted by disquiets in Edom and Syria; and he was foretold of the revolt of the ten tribes. Solomon died b.c. 975, after a reign of 40 years; and, notwithstanding his glory, was little lamented. 1 Kings 11:11-43; 2 Chronicles 9:31. He is said to have written 3000 proverbs, 1005 Songs, and much on natural history. 1 Kings 4:32-33. Some of his proverbs and songs probably exist in the Book of Proverbs, in Song of Solomon, and in the Psalms. The Acts of Solomon appears to have been a full history of his reign. 1 Kings 11:41; 2 Chronicles 9:29.