Solomon

Facts:

Solomon was one of King David's sons. His mother was Bathsheba.

When Solomon became king, God told him to ask for anything he wanted. So Solomon asked for wisdom to rule the people justly and well. God was pleased with Solomon's request and gave him both wisdom and much wealth.
Solomon is also well known for having a magnificent temple built in Jerusalem.
Although Solomon ruled wisely in the first years of his reign, later on he foolishly married many foreign women and started worshiping their gods.
Because of Solomon's unfaithfulness, after his death God divided the Israelites into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah. These kingdoms often fought against each other.

(Translation suggestions: How to Translate Names)

17:14 Later, David and Bathsheba had another son, and they named him Solomon.
18:01 After many years, David died, and his son Solomon began to rule. God spoke to Solomon and asked him what he wanted most. When Solomon asked for wisdom, God was pleased and made him the wisest man in the world. Solomon learned many things and was a very wise judge. God also made him very wealthy.
18:02 In Jerusalem, Solomon built the Temple for which his father David had planned and gathered materials.
18:03 But Solomon loved women from other countries. ... When Solomon was old, he also worshiped their gods.
18:04 God was angry with Solomon and, as a punishment for Solomon's unfaithfulness, he promised to divide the nation of Israel into two kingdoms after Solomon's death.