King Solomon was known for his wisdom, as demonstrated when God granted his request for discernment rather than long life or wealth. During his long 40-year reign, the Israelite monarchy gained great splendor and wealth through commercial prosperity with other regions. Solomon surrounded himself with luxury and grandeur as king. Upon his death around 970-931 BC, his son Rehoboam succeeded him, but the kingdom split into northern and southern kingdoms.

1. Solomon
Social Studies for 10th E.G.B. | Teacher: Mauricio Torres

2. Wisdom
 "So God said to him, 'Since you have asked for
this and not for long life or wealth for
yourself, nor have asked for the death of your
enemies but for discernment in administering
justice, I will do what you have asked...'" (1 Kings
3:11-12)
 King Solomon was well known for his wisdom and
is still remembered for it, such as the story of the
two women and a baby.

3. His Reign
 During Solomon's long reign of 40
years, the Israelite
monarchy, according to the
Bible, gained its highest splendor and
wealth.
 According to the Bible, during
Solomon's reign Israel enjoyed great
commercial prosperity, with extensive
traffic being carried on by land with
Tyre, Egypt, and Arabia, and by sea
with, and South India.

4. His Reign
 Solomon is described as surrounding
himself with all the luxuries and the
external grandeur of an Eastern monarch,
and his government prospered.
 The conventional dates of Solomon's reign
are from circa 970 to 931 BC. They derive
from biblical chronology.

5. Death
 According to the Hebrew Bible, Solomon died of
natural causes at around 80 years of age.
 Upon Solomon's death, his
son, Rehoboam, succeeded him as king.
However, ten of the Tribes of Israel refused to
accept him as king, causing the United
Monarchy to split and form the northern
Kingdom of Israel ruled by Jeroboam, while
Rehoboam continued to reign in the southern
Kingdom of Judah.

6. Christianity
 Christianity has traditionally accepted the
historical existence of Solomon, though
some modern Christian scholars have also
questioned at least his authorship of those
biblical texts ascribed to him.
 This is because, other than biblical
references, there are few records of
Solomon.

7. Ask Yourself
 Analyze:
 Why was Solomon so rich?
 Describe:
 Image how was Solomon’s court
 Recall:
 Where do we get most of the references of Solomon?

8. Classwork
 Remember that when Saul came to power, the Hebrews lived in small
scattered villages in Canaan. With Solomon, the enjoyed a period of
prosperity.
 Write two paragraphs in which you compare and contrast both rulers and
how they lived.