Original Word: שְׁלמֹה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Shlomoh
Pronunciation: she-lo-MOH
Phonetic Spelling: (shel-o-mo')
KJV: Solomon
NASB: Solomon, Solomon's
Word Origin: [from H7965 (שָׁלוֹם שָׁלוֹם - peace)]

1. peaceful
2. Shelomah, David's successor

Solomon

From shalowm; peaceful; Shelomah, David's successor -- Solomon.

see HEBREW shalowm

Word Origin
from shalem
Definition
David's son and successor to his throne
NASB Translation
Solomon (266), Solomon's (21).

שְׁלֹמִה₂₉₃ proper name, masculine Solomon (Σαλωμων, rarely Σαλομων, ᵐ5^L mostly Σολομων; compare Lag^{BN 53 96}); — king of Israel, son of David and Bathsheba 2 Samuel 12:24; 1 Kings 1:11 + [name 2 t. Samuel; 162 t. Kings; 109 t. Chronicles; 7 t. Ezra Nehemiah]; born in Jerusalem 2 Samuel 5:14; 1 Chronicles 3:5; 1 Chronicles 14:4; designated by David as successor, anointed and proclaimed before David's death 1 Kings 1:30,33,34,39 +; king after David's death 1 Kings 2:12,17; 1 Chronicles 29:28; 2Chronicles 1:1 + [phrase ׳הַמֶּלָךְ שׁ 1 Kings 1:34 36t. Kings, 11 t. Chronicles, Jeremiah 52:20; Songs 3:9,11; ׳הַמּ ׳שׁ 1 Kings 2:17; 1 Kings 12:2; 1 Chronicles 29:24; 2Chronicles 10:2; מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה ׳שׁ 1 Kings 12:23; 2Chronicles 11:3, ׳יִשׂ ׳מ 2 Kings 23:13; 2 Kings 24:13; 2Chronicles 30:26; 35:3; Nehemiah 13:26]; builder of temple 1 Kings 5:22; 1 Kings 6:1,2; 1 Chronicles 5:26 + often; wise 1 Kings 3:10; 1 Kings 5:9; 1 Kings 5:10; 1 Kings 5:14; 1 Kings 10:1,2,3,4; 2Chronicles 1:7,11 +; author of proverbs (and songs) according to Proverbs ׳מִשְׁלֵי שׁ2Chronicles 1:1; 10:1; 25:1 (compare 1 Kings 5:12; 1 Kings 5:13), see also ׳לִשׁ Psalm 72:1; Psalm 127:1 (titles), Songs 1:1 (title); of written provision for priests, etc. 2 Chronicles 35:4, compare 2 Chronicles 8:14; Nehemiah 12:45; elsewhere (outside of Kings, Chronicles) name occurs Jeremiah 52:20; Songs 1:5 (Wkl^{Altor. Forsch. ii. 196.} proposes Šalmaites, Nabataean שלמו Lzb³⁷⁶, compare Levy^{Tw ii. 489} Jastr¹⁵⁸⁷), Songs 3:7,9,11; Songs 8:11,12, and in phrase בְּנֵי עַבְדֵי ׳שׁ Ezra 2:55,58 = Nehemiah 7:57,60; Nehemiah 11:3.

Occurrences and Distribution

שְׁלֹמֹה (Solomon) appears roughly 293 times across the Hebrew Scriptures, concentrated in 1 Kings 1–11 and 2 Chronicles 1–9, with additional mentions in Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Nehemiah, and prophetic books that recall his reign. The name marks a transitional epoch in Israel’s monarchy, moving from Davidic conquest to a peaceful, centralized kingdom.

Birth and Divine Favor

Solomon is first named in 2 Samuel 12:24, born to David and Bathsheba after the death of their first child. “The LORD loved him” and, through Nathan, bestowed the additional name Jedidiah (“Beloved of the LORD”). This divine affection anticipates both the covenant promises to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) and the subsequent peace of Solomon’s reign.

Royal Succession and Coronation

Against the backdrop of Adonijah’s attempted usurpation (1 Kings 1), Solomon is anointed by Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet. David’s public charge (1 Kings 2:1-4) roots Solomon’s throne in covenant fidelity: “Walk in His ways, keep His statutes… that you may prosper in all you do”. Chronicles emphasizes the unanimous support of “all Israel” (1 Chronicles 29:20-25).

Prayer for Wisdom

At Gibeon, Solomon’s famous request sets the spiritual tone of his early reign: “Give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). The LORD grants “a wise and discerning mind” plus unmatched riches and honor (1 Kings 3:12-13). Early narratives (1 Kings 3:16-28) and administrative summaries (1 Kings 4:29-34) exemplify this endowment.

Administration, Prosperity, and International Renown

Solomon reorganizes the kingdom into twelve districts (1 Kings 4:7-19), maintains a formidable standing army with chariots and horsemen (1 Kings 10:26), and controls international trade routes (1 Kings 9:26-28; 10:22). The Queen of Sheba testifies, “In wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard” (1 Kings 10:7). Psalm 72, traditionally attributed to Solomon, projects this flourishing into a messianic horizon of global blessing.

Construction of the Temple

Chronologically anchored in the 480th year after the Exodus (1 Kings 6:1), Solomon builds the First Temple on Mount Moriah (2 Chronicles 3:1). The seven-year project (1 Kings 6:38) fulfills David’s preparatory plans (1 Chronicles 22:2-5). At dedication Solomon prays, “May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day” (1 Kings 8:29), invoking covenant mercy for repentant Israel and even for the foreigner (1 Kings 8:41-43). Fire from heaven and the filling glory confirm divine approval (2 Chronicles 7:1-3).

Literary Contributions

Proverbs 1:1, Ecclesiastes 1:1, and Song of Solomon 1:1 directly credit Solomon. 1 Kings 4:32 notes he spoke “three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.” Psalms 72 and 127 carry his superscription. These writings range from practical wisdom to royal theology, philosophical reflection, and nuptial imagery, each enriching the canonical witness to God-given wisdom.

Diplomacy and Commercial Alliances

Solomon cements alliances through marriage (Pharaoh’s daughter, 1 Kings 3:1) and treaties (Hiram of Tyre, 1 Kings 5:1-12). Maritime ventures from Ezion-Geber bring gold, almug wood, and exotic fauna (1 Kings 9:26-28; 10:22). Tribute flows from surrounding nations (2 Chronicles 9:23-24), illustrating the Abrahamic promise of blessing to the nations (Genesis 12:3).

Spiritual Failure and Division’s Seed

Despite early devotion, Solomon’s many foreign wives “turned his heart after other gods” (1 Kings 11:4). High places to Chemosh and Molech (1 Kings 11:7) draw divine judgment: “I will tear the kingdom away from you” (1 Kings 11:11). Yet for David’s sake a remnant tribe remains under his son (1 Kings 11:12-13), setting the stage for the divided monarchy of Rehoboam and Jeroboam.

Typological Significance

Solomon’s peaceful reign, wisdom, and temple-building foreshadow the Messiah. Jesus proclaims, “Now one greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:42), positioning Himself as the ultimate Davidic King whose wisdom and glory surpass the son of David. The Chronicler’s idealized portrait points forward to the eschatological temple and kingdom realized in Christ.

Post-exilic and New Testament References

Post-exilic writers recall Solomon as a paradigm of glory (Nehemiah 13:26) and a cautionary tale against foreign alliances. The New Testament cites Solomon’s splendor (Matthew 6:29; Luke 12:27) to illustrate providential care. Genealogies place him in Messiah’s line (Matthew 1:6; but note Luke 3:31 traces through Nathan).

Legacy in Jewish and Christian Tradition

Second Temple literature amplifies Solomon’s wisdom (Wisdom of Solomon) and magical lore. Early church fathers view his temple as a type of the Church and his apostasy as a warning. In Christian liturgy the “Song of Songs” typologically celebrates Christ and the Church, while Proverbs and Ecclesiastes continue to instruct believers in practical and contemplative piety.

Theological Overview

Solomon embodies both the apex and vulnerability of Israel’s monarchy. His reign illustrates covenant blessing fulfilled through obedience and forfeited through compromise. Scripture presents him as a vessel of divine wisdom and builder of God’s house, yet also as a lesson that even the most gifted ruler requires a heart wholly devoted to the LORD—a truth ultimately realized in the greater Son of David.

בִּשְׁלֹמֹ֑ה בִּשְׁלֹמֹ֣ה בשלמה וְלִשְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וְלִשְׁלֹמֹ֞ה וְלִשְׁלֹמֹ֣ה וְלִשְׁלֹמֹ֥ה וּשְׁלֹמֹ֕ה וּשְׁלֹמֹ֖ה וּשְׁלֹמֹ֗ה וּשְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ וּשְׁלֹמֹה֙ וּשְׁלֹמֹה֩ ולשלמה ושלמה ושלמה׃ לִשְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥ה לִשְׁלֹמֹ֑ה לִשְׁלֹמֹ֔ה לִשְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לִשְׁלֹמֹ֗ה לִשְׁלֹמֹ֛ה לִשְׁלֹמֹ֜ה לִשְׁלֹמֹ֡ה לִשְׁלֹמֹ֣ה לִשְׁלֹמֹ֥ה לִשְׁלֹמֹ֨ה ׀ לִשְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ לִשְׁלֹמֹה֙ למה לשלמה לשלמה׃ מִשְּׁלֹמֹ֔ה משלמה שְׁ֠לֹמֹה שְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥ה שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה שְׁלֹמֹ֡ה שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה שְׁלֹמֹ֥ה שְׁלֹמֹ֧ה שְׁלֹמֹ֨ה שְׁלֹמֹֽה־ שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ שְׁלֹמֹה֒ שְׁלֹמֹה֙ שְׁלֹמֹה֮ שֶׁלִּשְׁלֹמֹ֔ה שלמה שלמה־ שלמה׃ שלשלמה biš·lō·mōh bishloMoh bišlōmōh liš·lō·mōh lishloMoh lišlōmōh lō·mōh lomoh lōmōh miš·šə·lō·mōh mishsheloMoh miššəlōmōh šə·lō·mōh šə·lō·mōh- šel·liš·lō·mōh šellišlōmōh šəlōmōh šəlōmōh- shellishloMoh sheloMoh ū·šə·lō·mōh ūšəlōmōh usheloMoh velishloMoh wə·liš·lō·mōh wəlišlōmōhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts