What was King Solomon's culture like?

Answer 1

A:

The Bible tells us that Israel in the time of King Solomon was a powerful and prosperous kingdom, stretching at least as far north as southern Syria and east across the River Jordan. Solomon is portrayed as a wise and civilised man, although he had numerous wives and concubines in his magnificent palace. This story was written centuries after the time of Solomon but, being in the Bible, is widely believed as undeniable fact.

Based on archaeological evidence and clues in the Bible, many scholars now say that Solomon was more likely just a local warlord, ruling a region around Jerusalem and perhaps holding court under a tree, as King Saul is portrayed as doing. It is unlikely there wasever a United Kingdom of Israel. Scholars say the story of the Queen of Sheba appears to have been added to the Solomon legend during the time of the Babylonian Exile.