1 Kings 11:41 says: >Now the rest of the acts of Solomon and whatever he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? What is the biblical and historical background to this "book of the acts of Solomon" and have any manuscripts been found to support the existence of additional information about what Solomon did? Or are such writings apocryphal?

Okay so I was looking around on google for some answers about where some of the demon names that are "Biblical" came from, and I came across the Testament of Solomon . It isn't in the Bible from what I can tell. (It may be, if so, can I have some references?). It is an account of how Solomon enslaved demons using Michael's ring and made them rebuild the temple. There's something about all of this that just feels off. Does anyone know if its considered true by the majority or if its just considered untrue?

In 2 Chronicles 2:17 we are told "Solomon took a census of all the foreigners residing in Israel, after the census his father David had taken; and they were found to be 153,600." Why was God not angry about this Census, yet furious with David for taking a Census?

**Royal Regulations** When God reluctantly gave permission for Israel to have kings, He laid down several stipulations: (1) Only a fellow "brother" Israelite could be chosen; no foreigner, (2) He shall not multiply horses, nor purchase horses from Egypt, (3) Neither is a king to "multiply wives" lest his heart be seduced by them, and (4) He shall not amass silver and gold in abundance, and (5) The king is to write out a copy of the Book of the Law, and read it continually! (Deuteronomy 17:15-20) David seemed to comply with these requirements...except for one! He multiplied wives and concubines. Abigail, Ahinoam, 1 Samuel 25:42-43
Maacah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah, 2 Samuel 3:3
Concubines and more wives, 2 Samuel 5:13. To these women were born over a dozen sons, as well as daughters. (And then, of course, there was Bathsheba and Solomon, with her other children.) **Flaunting and Flouting** Was this flaunting and flouting of the Royal Code an example in the conduct of David that indelibly impressed the thought life of his son Solomon so that he could not resist the same temptation? A Temptation that became the Fatal Flaw and downfall of the vast Solomonic Empire? What could have been done different by Solomon, in spite of David's example, that would have kept him on the straight and narrow? Maybe #5 in the Royal Code? Or was the stigma of being the son of an illegitimate marriage by his father too much for his psyche to handle? Solomon grew up, no doubt, knowing his mother's husband was murdered. And he gave up on ever being a holy person himself? Does Christian psychology have anything to speak into this situation? What could have broken this "cycle of abuse" and put Solomon back on to a righteous trajectory?

In 1 Kings 11:1-10 we read: > 1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the > daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, > Zidonians, and Hittites; > > 2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of > Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto > you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: > Solomon clave unto these in love. > > 3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred > concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. > > 4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned > away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with > the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. > > 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and > after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. > > 6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully > after the LORD, as did David his father. > > 7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of > Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the > abomination of the children of Ammon. > > 8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense > and sacrificed unto their gods. > > 9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned > from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, > > 10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go > after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. Now Solomon was the son of David, God spoke to him twice, God gave him literally the world and in return he just asked for obedience. Why should someone who God spoke with directly turn away from God? It's difficult for me to understand how a God chosen person can do such thing, worship other "gods" and build temples for them! Why do you need 1000 wives and concubines? As I'm studying old testament, there's -NONE- that can be compared to Jesus, God even didn't let Moses enter the promised land because of his "lack of faith". So I'm coming to conclusion that what happened to the God chosen people was part of God's plan, so there will be only one **perfect** man who truly lived up to God's standards. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Am I on the right path?

We have record of King David having several prophets speak into his life who "kept him on the straight and narrow" or disciplined him when necessary. (Samuel, Nathan, Gad) But I fail to find any prophets interacting with Solomon! Was this the reason for his ultimate apostasy? Did he make the mistake of relying on his gift of wisdom, without a continuing interaction with God?

It is my understanding that because he had been a soldier and shed human blood, God did not allow David to build His temple---but reserved that honor for his son, Solomon. QUESTION: In his lifetime, did Solomon ever physically fight as a soldier or shed human blood with his own hands? His reign seem to have been, unusually, a time of peace.

To whom or what is Jesus referring in this passage when he speaks of “something greater than Solomon”? > The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this > generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to > hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon > is here. (Matthew 12:42, ESV) I have always assumed it was Jesus, but much of Matthew 12 is about the Holy Spirit. Solomon was a wise counselor and the Holy Spirit is the Counselor that Jesus would send. Do any theologians hold that Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit and not himself?

1 Kings tells us that, when David was elderly and impotent, Adonijah considered himself as heir-apparent and crowned himself, but Nathan the Prophet and Bathsheba approached David: > She said to him, “My lord, you yourself swore to me your servant by the Lord your God: ‘Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne.’ But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know about it. Why would David have chosen Solomon, the younger candidate, as a successor?

>The Lord will open to you his good treasury the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow (Deuteronomy 28:12 RSV). >For the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you. (Deuteronomy 15:6) My question is specifically for the part of both scriptures where it says that the Israelites will lend to many nations but will not borrow. My question is when did Israel have all of this wealth and resources to be able to lend to other nations? I know that major blessings came to Israel during the days of Solomon but I can't find a particular scripture that outlines Solomon or some other king of Israel having nations borrowing money from them or lending to the nations.

Here are the verses in question: > 4 As Solomon grew old, **his wives turned his heart** after other gods, and **his heart was not fully devoted** to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5 He went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; and went not fully after the Lord, as David his father had done. > 7 On a hill east of Jerusalem, **Solomon built a high place** for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. 8 **He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods.** > 9 The Lord became angry with Solomon **because his heart had turned away** from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. 10 Although he had forbidden Solomon to go after other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command. (1 Kings 11: 4 - 10) A commentary I was reading says this: > ...**it is not stated that Solomon himself offered sacrifice to these idols**...the words "went after Ashtoreth," etc., no more involve personal service than the word "built" in ver. 7 involves personal labour; but both expressions show that he regarded these idolatries not only without disfavour, but with positive approval and practical encouragement. Another commentary says: > Went after - This expression is common in the Pentateuch, and always signifies actual idolatry (see Deuteronomy 11:28; Deuteronomy 13:2; Deuteronomy 28:14) But the first commentary rebuttals by saying this: > He cites Deuteronomy 11:28; Deuteronomy 13:2; Deuteronomy 28:14; but **it should be considered that in the two passages last cited the words are added, "and served them."** So I've come to the conclusion that Solomon himself did not personally offer sacrifices to other gods. His wives did. But it was still considered idolatry on Solomon's part because he was the one who allowed the high places to be built, and if his heart was fully after God, he wouldn't have allowed that. Is this a reasonable conclusion for me to make?

Solomon had turned away from God. He had multipled his horses, chariots & the number of his wives and concubines. How do you think Father God felt about this after the generosity the Lord had blessed him with?

We read at 1 Kings 11:1-13 how King Solomon fell into disgrace and was punished by the Lord : > King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh.....and his wives turned away his heart. For when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. .... So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not completely follow the Lord, as his father David had done. ... > > Then the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this matter, that he should not follow other gods; but he did not observe what the Lord commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this has been your mind and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant. Yet for the sake of your father David I will not do it in your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. I will not, however, tear away the entire kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen. We see God giving an earthly punishment to Solomon for his infidelity. Verses 41-43 which narrate his death do not say whether he died repentant, or not. My question therefore is: **According to Catholic Church, did King Solomon find grace with God after his death?**

I just heard on YouTube the entire Testament of Solomon only to find out it is not canon. Why is it not canon and is not found in the Old Testament?

> **[2 Samuel 7:11-16](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%207:11-16&version=ESV)** (ESV) > 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'" It doesn't seem that it can be just Solomon since Solomon's kingdom didn't last forever. It also doesn't seem like it can be a reference to the Messiah/Jesus because this bit doesn't fit with what I know of the Christians believe that Jesus, being God, could not do wrong: > **[2 Samuel 7:14](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%207:14&version=ESV)** (ESV) > 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When **he commits iniquity**, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, So who is being referred to in this passage? I'm interested in an overview of what is commonly believed. Quotes and references from any respected commentators are welcome.

If you guys don't know, she's the queen that quizzed Solomon to discover his wisdom in 1 Kings 10. Was Sheba located somewhere in Africa? (I heard some theories that Sheba was Arabia but I'm skeptical of this).

Which of the following wisdom books, - Proverbs - Ecclesiastes - Wisdom - Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), are advice addressed by a father to his son? Yes, Job, the Psalms, and Solomon's Canticle of Canticles (Song of Solomon) are wisdom literature, too, but they're clearly not father-son advice.

Solomon was possibly one of the most blessed Old Testament figures—God gave him wisdom, wealth, honor beyond anyone in his time. Solomon also wrote Proverbs & Ecclesiastes, and possibly the Song of Solomon—three of the books of the Bible. However, he also had 700 wives + 300 concubines (who, according to the Bible, turned his heart away). Question: is Solomon in heaven?

In 2 Chronicles we read: > ... Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots and 12,000 horsemen ...**- 2 Chronicles 9:25** ... but in 1 Kings: > Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen. **- 1 Kings 4:26**

An Evangelical-Pentecostal church has built a huge replica of Solomon's Temple in Brazil. But why Solomon's Temple? What does it have to do with Jesus Christ and the Christian faith? It's very odd to me that they are embracing elements that seem more Jewish than Christian like Solomon's Temple, the Ark of the Covenant and a kippah when preaching. But maybe my idea of Christian traditions is too modern. Have these elements ever been part of any Christian faith? Further information about this replica: It's from the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God that operates in more than 100 countries and was even banned from some African countries. The owner is Edir Macedo, that also appears on Forbes's list of billionaires. He spent 300 M on the construction. Here's the story as covered by *The New York Times*. Here's the inauguration video , where you can also see how they have used the religious elements I've talked about.