שְׁלֹמֹה
Shelomah, David's successor
Definition
שְׁלֹמֹה (Solomon) is the son of King David and Bathsheba, who reigned as the third king of the united monarchy of Israel (1 Kings 1:39). His name, meaning 'peaceful,' reflects the era of unprecedented peace and prosperity Israel experienced under his rule, as described in 1 Kings 4:24-25. He is most renowned for his God-given wisdom (1 Kings 3:12), his construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6), and his extensive literary contributions traditionally associated with books like Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. In later biblical reflection, he also serves as a complex figure whose foreign marriages and idolatry led to the kingdom's division (1 Kings 11:1-13).
Biblical Usage
The name is used exclusively as a proper noun for the king throughout the historical books (2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles), the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 72 title), and the prophetic books (e.g., Jeremiah 52:20). Its usage consistently identifies him as David's son and successor, highlighting his roles as wise ruler, temple builder, and international trader. In post-exilic books like Nehemiah, he is referenced in historical retrospect (Nehemiah 13:26).
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root שָׁלוֹם (shalom, H7965), meaning 'peace,' 'completeness,' or 'well-being.' It is a possessive form, essentially meaning 'his peace' or 'peaceful.' The name is linguistically related to other names like Absalom ('father of peace') and reflects a theophoric element, implying God is the source of the peace.
Semantic Range
Solomon is a pivotal theological figure representing both the zenith and failure of the Davidic covenant. His reign fulfills God's promise to David of a son who would build the Temple (2 Samuel 7:12-13), yet his disobedience demonstrates the conditional nature of the covenant and the consequences of forsaking Torah. His God-given wisdom points to divine gift over human attainment, and his later folly serves as a sober warning against compromise. Understanding his Hebrew name, 'peaceful,' enriches the reading of texts about his reign, contrasting the external peace of his kingdom with the internal spiritual conflict that ultimately undermined it.
In the ancient Near East, a king's name often reflected divine attributes or parental hopes. 'Solomon' signified the hope for a peaceful reign after the wars of David. His legendary wisdom placed him within a recognized tradition of international sage-kings. His accumulation of wealth, wives, and horses (1 Kings 10:14-29, 1 Kings 11:3) was typical of ancient monarchs asserting power and forming political alliances, though these actions were directly condemned by the Mosaic law for Israel's king (Deuteronomy 17:16-17).
דָּוִד (Dāwîḏ, H1732) — His father and predecessor, establishing the royal dynasty. יְדִידְיָהּ (Yᵊḏîḏyāh, H3039) — His other name given by Nathan the prophet, meaning 'beloved of the LORD' (2 Samuel 12:25).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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