SOLOMON

Old Testament character, king of Israel; David’s succe or and s. by Bathsheba, the death of whose husband (Uriah, the Hittite) David had contrived. S. was famous for his wisdom and his worldly splendor. His kingdom grew in power and prosperity and he accumulated vast quantities of gold and silver. He built the Temple at Jerusalem. Odes of Solomon.—Forty two hymns discovered in 1908, though known earlier by name; probably written I. cent. A. D.; may be Jewish, with Christian interpolations. Psalms of Solomon.—Book of Old Testament Apocrypha, corresponding to Psalter: there are eighteen psalms which can hardly all be by one author. They contain references to Pompeius’ taking of Jerusalem in 63 B. C. and cannot be much later; Psalm 17 contains a Me ianic prophecy.