Jerusalem During Solomon's Reign
Jerusalem: Maps and Diagrams
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Solomon's 40-year reign is regarded by many Jews as a "Golden Age" of ancient Israel - in part because he was the last king to rule over a united Jewish kingdom. The Bible describes Solomon as being the son of David, second king of Israel, and as having been chosen over older sons because of his wisdom. His name, Solomon, seems to have been derived from the Semitic word for "peace."
Solomon's best known accomplishment, aside perhaps from his numerous political marriages, is the construction of the first Jewish Temple around 1000 BCE (it would be destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE). This concentrated religious practice and authority in Jerusalem, a parallel to his policy of concentrating political and military in his own hands.
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