Folia Theologica 16. (2005)
Solomon Pasala: Archaeological Evidences for Solomonic period
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCES 127 The Queen of Sheba, on hearing of Solomon's fame, came to test his wisdom (I Kgs 10/1-13). Solomon had an abundance of silver and gold as well as huge chariots with imported horses (I kg 10/41-25). But it was also reported that Solomon loved many foreign woman. In addition to Pharaoh's daughter, he had Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, and Sodomian Hittite women - totaling 700 wives-princesses, and 300 concubines. It was said that these woman turned his heart to their gods and he built sanctuaries for Chemosh and other gods of the Moabites and Ammonites on mountain ridges in the east of Jerusalem (I Kgs 11/1-13). Thus Yahweh became angry and sent adversaries like Hadad of Edom and Rezon of Damascus against him (1 Kgs 11/14-22; 11/23-25; 11/26-40). Solomon's reign lasted for forty years and he was buried in Jerusalem. 1.2. Composition and structure: The Gen-IIkgs presentation of Solomon is characterized by editorial exaggerations, therefore it is necessary to distinguish and evaluate some of the material. For example, I Kgs, chapters 1-2, a description of the palace intrigue surrounding Solomon's accession to throne, is a narrative with historical information. Yet it has nov- elistic features and propagandistic intention to show how Solomon, not being one of the eldest sons, comes to occupy the throne and also justifies all the executions2. A second large block of material consists of detailed descriptions of Solomon's cultic activities: the theophany at Gebeon (I Kgs 3/2-15); his building program in Jerusalem, with primary attention to the Temple (I Kgs 5-7); the dedication ceremony (I Kgs 8) and Yahweh in the second theophany (I Kgs 9/1-9). The interests and intentions of the Judahite editors of Gen.-IIKgs are quiet obvious, namely, they want to emphasize the following points: a) Jerusalem is the center of Yahweh's worship. b) A new age in history was inaugurated when Solomon began the temple. 2 M.J. MAXWELL - J.H. HAYES. A History of Ancient Israel and Judah, 192-193.
