1 Kings Chapters 2-11: Solomon was Israel's wisest king. And Israel was the most prosperous under Solomon's rule. Israel also became its largest under Solomon for he continued to conquer the peoples nearby, but he would do so only after praying to God and getting His approval. Solomon loved the Lord and walked in His statutes. God asked Solomon what his wish would be as He was so pleased with Solomon, and he responded that to rule God's people justly and correctly, as was his desire, he would need wisdom. God was again very pleased that Solomon had asked this and the reason for it, and God blessed Solomon as the wisest man on earth, ever (ch.3).
Solomon built the Lord's Temple, and it took about 20 years. It's also called The First Temple, and the Ark of the Covenant was brought here to stay. Solomon also built his own palace and it was very grand. Archaeologists have found remains of a very grand palace and believe it to be the remains: www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/archaeologists-link-remains-of-destroyed-palace-to-reign-of-king-solomon/news-story/3240eb29a19f8b09e5377c72f15ab0d1
Also, remains of the First Temple have been found: www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/archaeologists-link-remains-of-destroyed-palace-to-reign-of-king-solomon/news-story/3240eb29a19f8b09e5377c72f15ab0d1
But... in chapter 11 we see Solomon turn away from God. He was very fond of women and had married hundreds, some think thousands of wives. Some were for political reasons, some were to gain friendships with nearby countries. What ended up happening was that these women slowly turned Solomon away from God and towards their own foreign gods.
So, God raised up adversaries against the kingdom and Solomon and Israel ended up getting split into two parts, one part had 10 tribes, and Solomon's part had 2 tribes. Solomon reigned for 40 years and his son Rehoboam reigned in his place after his death.
So, God raised up adversaries against the kingdom and Solomon and Israel ended up getting split into two parts, one part had 10 tribes, and Solomon's part had 2 tribes. Solomon reigned for 40 years and his son Rehoboam reigned in his place after his death.