Solomon's Temple & Wisdom Literature

Architectural reconstruction of the First Temple built by King Solomon on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6–7), featuring the Ulam (Entrance Porch) flanked by the twin bronze pillars Jachin and Boaz, the Hekhal (Holy Place), the Debir (Holy of Holies), three-story side chambers, and the courtyard Molten Sea and Bronze Altar.

Song of Solomon (Old Testament, 8 chapters). Key figures: Solomon, Jacob/Israel, David, Baal. Key places: Solomon's, Jerusalem, Kedar, Sharon 1, Lebanon, Zion. Opens with: "The song of songs, which is Solomon's...."

The Wisdom of Solomon (Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical, 19 chapters). Key places: Sodom. Opens with: "Love righteousness, you⌃ that be judges of the earth, Think you⌃ of the Lord with a good mind, And in singleness of heart seek you⌃ him;..."

Topographical scale model of royal Jerusalem during the First Temple period (Iron Age II) from the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem, illustrating the City of David spur, the Ophel, the Kidron and Tyropoeon valleys, and Solomon's Temple complex crowning Mount Moriah.

Proverbs (Old Testament, 31 chapters). Key figures: Solomon, David, Jacob/Israel, Hezekiah, Judah. Key places: Egypt. Opens with: "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;..."

1 Kings (Old Testament, 22 chapters). Key figures: David, Jacob/Israel, Zeruiah, Zadok, Nathan, Shimei. Key places: Gihon 2, Bahurim, Mahanaim, Jordan, Hebron, Jerusalem. Opens with: "Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat...."

Ecclesiastes (Old Testament, 12 chapters). Key figures: David, Jacob/Israel. Key places: Jerusalem. Opens with: "The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem...."

2 Chronicles (Old Testament, 36 chapters). Key figures: Solomon, David, Jacob/Israel, Moses, Judah, Dan. Key places: Gibeon, Jerusalem, Egypt, Syria, Tyre, Lebanon. Opens with: "And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly...."