How long was king solomons reign

The city has a history that goes back to the 4th millennium BCE, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. Jerusalem i The period in which the First Temple presum The Second Temple is the term used for the Jewish holy temple, which stood on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, actually two temple complexes which succeeded each other and allowed almost uninterrupted temple service between c.

It gav The Qur'an has a wealth of information--both worldly wisdom and intellectual concepts--providing a code of li Solomon, 3rd King of Israel.

Saul, 1st king of Israel Saul was the first king of the united Kingdom of Israel reigned - according to the Hebrew Bible. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London Love them or hate them, there's no denying their growing numbers have added an explosion of color to the city's streets.

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Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Morocco has 3 million stray dogs. Meet the people trying to help. Animals Whales eat three times more than previously thought. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Nearly a thousand years before Solomon, Abraham had been promised that his seed would receive the land of Canaan for their inheritance, including territory as far north as the Euphrates River see Genesis ; ; Solomon extended the domain of Israel from the Red Sea on the south to the Euphrates River on the north.

The golden age of Israel, started under King David, continued under Solomon. During the forty years that Solomon ruled as king of Israel, there was peace and unity throughout his vast domain. At the beginning of his reign, Solomon loved the God of Israel and covenanted with God that he would walk in obedience throughout his administration as king of Israel.

Solomon was promised wisdom, riches, honor, and long life if he would continue in righteousness before the Lord. The promise was fulfilled. During his life, Solomon became famous for his wisdom. Great men and women from many nations came to hear him and test his understanding and knowledge. Solomon also acquired great wealth, and there were said to be no kings in all the earth who could compare to him.

Deterioration and strife were everywhere. What actions or events led the nation from such heights to such depths? You will find the answers in the first book of Kings. As you read, try to identify the events that brought about the decline of Israel. According to the customs of succession, Adonijah could well have been the heir to the throne of David. Adonijah was the fourth son of David see 2 Samuel Two of his older brothers, Amnon and Absalom, were already dead, and a third, Chileab, is not mentioned in the text except for the account of his birth.

The family of David. Chart redrawn from Douglas, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, His actions were thus designed to convince the people of his right and to create a base of popular support that would consolidate his position. He set up a royal processional see v. Because of the competition that typically existed in the royal family itself, the new king often assassinated all his brothers and other possible heirs who might pose any threat to his rule.

Moving swiftly, Bath-sheba and Nathan joined together see v. When David learned that Adonijah sought to take the throne, he quickly appointed Solomon as co-regent. They ruled together until David died. Although only twenty years of age, Solomon, like David and Saul before him, was anointed to his kingship by a rightful priest and by the prophet see vv. Dummelow, ed. The people responded joyously and accepted Solomon as their new king see 1 Kings — They were caught in the midst of what bordered on treason against the new king, and they were anxious to disassociate themselves from Adonijah.

So, as soon as he learned of the enthroning of Solomon, Adonijah fled not to his home, but immediately to the heights of Mount Moriah just above the city of David. Here an altar of sacrifice had been set up by David. The horns of the altar of sacrifice were considered a sanctuary where a person could cling until his case was investigated and tried see Exodus — In the reign of David they formed, with the Pelethites, his private bodyguard under the command of Benaiah the son of Jehoida [see 2 Samuel ; ; 1 Chronicles ].

They remained loyal to him through the rebellions of Absalom [see 2 Samuel ] and Sheba [see 2 Samuel ], and were present when Solomon was anointed for kingship [see 1 Kings , 44 ]. Douglas, ed. David charged his son to keep all the commandments of God, to study the law, and to exercise righteous judgment upon the people.

First Kings does not record the large assemblage of government administrators and military commanders that David called together when he sensed that his death was near; however, the historic gathering is recorded in 1 Chronicles — At this conference David performed four great services: 1 he gained the support of the people for the completion of the temple; 2 he presented a vast treasure for the temple; 3 he publicly turned over to Solomon the plans for the temple and disclosed that they had been given to him by divine revelation; and 4 he succeeded in having Solomon crowned and anointed a second time when the people of every tribe were officially represented and could declare their loyalty.

This plea for manhood and strength is a familiar Old Testament theme. The Lord gave Joshua the same encouragement see Joshua —9. This advice was given to Solomon repeatedly. The courage to obey the law was just as much a part of the plea as to have physical courage.

Joab, out of jealousy and fear of losing his position as commander of the armies of Israel, had murdered Abner see 2 Samuel and Amasa see 2 Samuel And when Amasa was slain, the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba had crippled the power of David too much, for him to visit the deed with the punishment that was due.

But as king of the nation of God, it was not right for him to allow such crimes to pass unpunished: he therefore transferred the punishment, for which he had wanted the requisite power, to his son and successor. Schmidt , and let not his grey hair go down into hell the region of the dead in peace i. The punishment of so powerful a man as Joab the commander-in-chief was, required great wisdom, to avoid occasioning a rebellion in the army, which was devoted to him.

Keil and F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, Barzillai and Shimei both lived at Mahanaim. Shimei, instead of showing kindness to David when he fled from Absalom, threw rocks at him and cursed him see 2 Samuel — Barzillai, however, showed great kindness to David and those who had fled with him by providing them with food and clothing. David asked Solomon to provide for the family of Barzillai as a payment for his kindness see 2 Samuel —29 ; — Solomon knew and understood this law, as 1 Kings makes clear.

Perhaps she, knowing how Solomon would react, recognized an opportunity to rid Solomon of the threat that Adonijah continued to be to the throne of Israel. Solomon did react quickly, for this was the second time Adonijah had attempted to take the throne by subtlety.

Note 1 Kings , which records that Adonijah knew that the Lord had given the throne to Solomon. Abiathar and Joab were still conspiring to put Adonijah on the throne see 1 Kings Solomon banished Abiathar from Jerusalem and took from him the office of high priest in Israel.

Abiathar was a great-grandson of Eli, who was both priest and judge in Israel, and the last of his descendants to hold a priestly office.

This punishment and restriction of Abiathar fulfilled the prophecy announced to Eli by the Lord see 1 Samuel — Abiathar probably escaped with the punishment of exile only because Solomon was reluctant to execute a high priest.

Joab, however, was a much more dangerous enemy because he had commanded the army. Because of the murders he had committed, he was indeed worthy of death see Exodus — Thus, he had no right to claim the sanctuary of the altar, and Solomon was not obligated to honor his claim to sanctuary.

Benaiah succeeded Joab as captain of the host, the top military position in the kingdom under the king. Continuing to follow the final counsel of his father see Notes and Commentary on 1 Kings —8 , Solomon now undertook to punish Shimei.

Shimei was from Bahurim, which was a short distance east of Jerusalem. To have a known enemy of the crown in a city where the Ammonites and Moabites could easily go to conspire with him would have provided future opportunity for treason.

He could have had Shimei executed by royal order. Instead, Solomon brought him to Jerusalem and made him swear on oath that he would not cross the Brook Kidron, the eastern boundary of Jerusalem. This restriction lends further support to the idea that Solomon did not want Shimei collaborating with the eastern enemies of Israel. Three years later, because Shimei violated his oath, Solomon had him executed.

There is no force at all in the excuses which some commentators adduce in his favour, founded upon the money which his slaves had cost him, and the wish to recover possession of them, which was a right one in itself.

By the breach of his oath he had forfeited his life.