Solomon

From Biblical accounts it is believed that he had around 700 wives and 300 affairs. Some of his wives among others were foreign princesses and Pharaoh's daughter.

The Queen of Sheba, from the Kingdom of Ethiopia, was so impressed with him that she came to meet him with a collection of gifts, which included gold, precious stones and spices.

According to the Hebrew Bible, he died approximately at the age of 59 due to natural causes.

King Solomon, also referred to as Jedidiah, was born in Jerusalem to David, the second king of the United Kingdom of Israel, an ancestor of Jesus and Bathsheba.

Adonijah, the eldest son of King David, was the natural heir to the crown. However, King David promised Bathsheba that Solomon would be made king and he kept his promise.

Solomon reigned from 970 BC, as the third king of the United Monarchy. He sent David’s priest Abiathar on exile as he supported Adonijah, the eldest son of King David.

Referred to as The Judgment of Solomon from the Hebrew Bible, two women came to him with a child, each claiming the child to be their own. Using his wisdom, he declared that the women who showed compassion was the real mother.

It is believed that around the 10th century BCE, he constructed the First Temple also called the Solomon's Temple, according to the Hebrew Bible. The temple was constructed in ancient Jerusalem.

He was a prolific author and created a large gamut of work. His writings include, ‘The Book of Proverbs’, ‘Ecclesiastes’, ‘Song of Solomon’ and ‘Book of the Wisdom of Solomon’.

According to the Bible, the kingdom prospered and reached the point of its highest glory during his reign. He collected enormous amounts of gold, wealth and other luxuries.

According to medieval Jewish, Islamic and Christian legends, it is believed that the third and final king of United Monarchy possessed a magical signet ring, which gave him magical powers.