When Did Solomon Live?
Quick Summary
Solomon lived in the 10th century BCE, traditionally dated to around 970–931 BCE.
The Bible places Solomon’s reign after David and before the division of the kingdom.
His reign is anchored by synchronisms with surrounding nations and the building of the temple.
Solomon’s lifetime sits at the height of Israel’s united monarchy.
While debates exist about the extent of Solomon’s kingdom, his historical placement is widely agreed upon.
This summary reflects standard treatments in the Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, the Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books, and the New Interpreter’s Bible.
Introduction
Solomon occupies a pivotal place in the biblical story. He is remembered as a king of wisdom, wealth, and peace, a ruler whose reign marks both a high point and a turning point for Israel. Unlike figures from Genesis or the early wilderness period, Solomon stands firmly within historical time. The Bible situates him among kings, buildings, treaties, and political transitions.
The question “When did Solomon live?” is therefore more straightforward than many others. Scripture offers reign lengths, generational sequence, and external reference points that allow historians to place Solomon within a narrow and widely accepted time frame.
Still, understanding when Solomon lived involves more than memorizing dates. His lifetime helps explain the rise of Israel’s monarchy, the building of the temple, and the fractures that follow his death.
This framing reflects approaches found in the New Interpreter’s Bible and John J. Collins.
Solomon Within the Biblical Narrative
According to the Bible, Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba. He succeeded David as king of a united Israel (1 Kings 1–2). Scripture presents Solomon’s reign as one of stability and expansion, marked by international diplomacy and internal organization.
The books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles give Solomon a reign of forty years (1 Kings 11:42). He is followed by his son Rehoboam, whose accession leads directly to the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah.
This clear sequence provides an internal chronological framework that anchors Solomon securely in Israel’s history.
This narrative placement is discussed in the Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books.
Chronological Anchors and Dates
Solomon’s reign is traditionally dated from approximately 970 to 931 BCE. These dates are derived by working backward from later, more firmly established events, including the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BCE and the reigns of subsequent Judean kings.
One of the most important chronological markers appears in 1 Kings 6:1, which states that Solomon began building the temple in the fourth year of his reign, 480 years after the Exodus. While the symbolic nature of the number 480 is debated, the verse firmly situates Solomon’s reign within a broader biblical timeline.
Combining biblical data with Near Eastern chronologies yields the widely accepted 10th-century BCE placement.
This dating is standard in the Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary and works by Edwin Thiele.
Solomon and the Building of the Temple
The construction of the temple in Jerusalem stands as the defining event of Solomon’s reign. According to 1 Kings 6–8, the temple was completed in the eleventh year of Solomon’s reign, after seven years of construction.
This project not only anchors Solomon chronologically but also theologically. The temple becomes the central symbol of Israel’s worship and identity. Its construction reflects a period of political stability and economic capacity.
Because the temple’s destruction in 586 BCE is firmly dated, Solomon’s building activity provides a reliable anchor point for his lifetime.
This connection between temple chronology and royal dating is emphasized in the New Interpreter’s Bible.
External Historical Context
Solomon’s reign aligns with a relatively quiet period in the eastern Mediterranean. Egypt’s power was diminished compared to earlier centuries, and major Mesopotamian empires had not yet reached their later dominance. This geopolitical landscape allowed smaller kingdoms like Israel to flourish.
The Bible describes Solomon engaging in trade and alliances with surrounding nations, including Tyre and Egypt. While extrabiblical references to Solomon are limited, the broader historical context supports the plausibility of such a reign in the 10th century BCE.
Debates about the scale of Solomon’s kingdom continue, but they do not significantly alter the dating of his life.
This assessment reflects mainstream historical reconstructions found in the Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary.
Scholarly Debates and Minimalist Readings
Some scholars question the biblical portrayal of Solomon’s wealth and influence, suggesting the united monarchy was smaller and less centralized than the text implies. These discussions focus on archaeology and state formation rather than chronology.
Even among more skeptical approaches, Solomon is still placed in the 10th century BCE. The debate concerns scope, not existence or timing.
Recognizing this distinction helps clarify what is contested and what is broadly agreed upon.
This distinction is discussed in John J. Collins and modern historiography of ancient Israel.
Theological Significance of Solomon’s Timing
Solomon’s lifetime represents a moment of convergence. The promises to David appear fulfilled. Peace allows wisdom to flourish. Worship is centralized. Yet cracks begin to form beneath the surface.
Biblically, Solomon’s reign raises enduring questions about power, faithfulness, and the cost of compromise. His timing matters because it marks the transition from ascent to division in Israel’s story.
The 10th century BCE becomes a lens through which later writers interpret both hope and failure.
This theological reading is emphasized in the New Interpreter’s Bible.
What Can Be Said with Confidence
Despite debates about interpretation, several conclusions are widely accepted:
Solomon lived in the 10th century BCE.
His reign lasted approximately forty years.
He ruled during the period of Israel’s united monarchy.
His death precipitated the division of the kingdom.
These conclusions reflect strong agreement across biblical scholarship.
This summary reflects consensus views in the Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Solomon reign?
Solomon’s reign is traditionally dated from around 970 to 931 BCE, based on biblical reign lengths and later historical anchors.
This dating is discussed in Edwin Thiele and the Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary.
Was Solomon a real historical king?
Yes. While scholars debate the scale of his kingdom, Solomon is widely regarded as a historical ruler of ancient Israel.
This assessment appears in the Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books.
How long did Solomon rule?
The Bible records a reign of forty years (1 Kings 11:42), a figure generally accepted by scholars.
This detail is treated as reliable in standard biblical chronologies.
Why is Solomon’s date important?
Solomon’s lifetime anchors the united monarchy and helps date David, the temple, and the division of the kingdom.
This importance is emphasized in the New Interpreter’s Bible.
Did Solomon live before or after the prophets?
Solomon lived before the classical prophets. His reign precedes figures like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel by several centuries.
This sequencing is standard in biblical timelines.
Works Consulted
Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary
Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books
Edwin R. Thiele, The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings
John J. Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible
The New Interpreter’s Bible
