Folia Theologica 16. (2005)

Solomon Pasala: Archaeological Evidences for Solomonic period

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCES

129- His dealing with Hiram, the king of Tyre, and the shipping venture (I Kgs 9/26-28 and 10/11-12/22).- The sources and costs of his horses, allowing, of course, for exaggerations (I Kgs 10/28-29).- Conflicts with Hadad of Edom, Rozen of Damascus and Jeroboam of Ephraim.(I Kgs 11/26-4Ü)7.

From the above analysis we may see that his reign is divided into two parts. The first part includes success and glory, the second part displays a man being led away, which results in failure and opposition.

The Solomonic building projects required more than twenty years, especially the construction of the Temple. But we were told that it took merely seven years. The number 7 is symbolic number and should not to be taken too literally.

Actually there is no way of knowing how long either David or Solomon reigned. It appears that Solomon's reign ended in 925 BC8.

1.3. The Chronicler's Presentation of Solomon:

The Chronicler's treatment of Solomon (II Ch 1-9) follows the same pattern as his treatment of David, namely, it largely reproduces the corresponding section of the Gen-IIkgs account and modifies the latter in a tendentious fashion:

1) The questionable circumstances surrounding Solomon's accession to throne disappears in the Chronicler's version.

2) Solomon's concession of 20 cities to Hiram of Tyre is turned around to suggest that it was Phoenician king who gave the cities to Solomon (II Ch 8/1-2 . c/with I Kgs 9/10-14).

3) The Chronicler assigns even greater prominence to Solomon's cultic activities than the Gen-IIkgs' compiler. Out of nine chapters, six are dedicated to Temple building and dedication9.

7 Here the authors are of the opinion that these details are authentic, but we doubt their authenticity. Cf. Maxwell and Hayes, A History of Ancient Israel and Judah, 196.

8 M..I. MAXWELL - J.H. HAYES. A History of Ancient Israel and Judah, 196.

9 M.J. MAXWELL — J.H. HAYES,,4 History of Ancient Israel and Judah, 198