What are some important things King David and King Solomon did?

Answer 1

Saul; David; and Solomon were the first three kings of Israel; Each was chosen by God, although David was His "anointed one". Each believed faithfully and fully in their Monotheistic God, "Yahweh", King of Kings, however each continuously sinned and fell away from God and His laws, experienced enormous heartbreak and remorse, straighten up and followed His laws again.

King David was allowed by God to choose the site for the Temple into which the Ark of the Covenant would be housed, however because David had blood on his hands David was not allowed to build it. King Solomon followed King David as the third King of Israel and was allowed to build the Temple and house the Ark inside, however, because he also turned away from God; the Temple, the state of Israel, and his family all lay in ruins as his reign came to an end.

If you're interested in reading more about their peaks and valleys, check out the Book of Psams..many of which were written by David. Psalm 127 was written by Solomon just before his death as he surveyed the ruins of his Temple; Israel; and his family. Also notice all the Psalms written by Asaph who was the director in charge of music (Psalms are all lyrics to songs). Asaph was the only one present throughout King David's reign, as well as, King Solomon's and witnessed the Temple being built and subsequently being destroyed.

Answer 2

David's accomplishments:

• 1) King David authored/compiled the book of Psalms and gave it to us in its present form (Talmud, Bava Batra 14b). The Psalms (Tehillim), which we might call the soul of the Jewish people, express the yearning of King David and of the entire nation to be close to God. They are one of the foundations of our prayerbook to this day.

Link: Source of the Psalms

• 2) King David was the one who finally succeeded in subduing all of the surrounding nations (see 2 Samuel ch.8 and ch.10) plus the entire territory of Israel, something which no one else did previously or subsequently. He succeeded in all his endeavors (1 Samuel 16:18).
• 3) He secured from the prophet Nathan a promise from God that his (David's) son Solomon would build the Holy Temple (2 Samuel ch.7). The First Temple is actually considered the accomplishment of David himself (Rashi commentary, Berakhot 18a), since it existed in his merit ("Torat Chaim," commenting on Talmud, Shabbat 30a).
• 4) He set the blueprints, with Divine inspiration, for the Holy Temple (1 Chronicles 28:19). Together with the prophet Samuel, he located the spot where the Temple would be built (Talmud, Zevachim 54b); and he dug the foundations for the Temple (Talmud, Sukkah 53a).
• 5) He amassed vast amounts of material and precious metals for the construction of the Temple (1 Chronicles ch.29).
• 6) Together with Samuel, he instituted the 24 groupings of families of Kohanim and Levites (Talmud, Taanit 27a).
• 7) He served God all the days of his life (1 Kings 11:38); and God was with him (1 Samuel 16:18).
• 8) He was without peer in clarifying and applying the halakhot (laws) of the Oral Tradition (Talmud, Sanhedrin 93b).
• 9) King David serves as the archetype of the effectiveness of repentance (Talmud, Avodah Zarah 4b).

See also the Related Links.

• Link: Why didn't David kill Saul?
  
• Link: About the Psalms
  
• Link: More about the Hebrew Bible
  

King Solomon:
1) King Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem.
2) Through his vast God-given wisdom (1 Kings ch.3), he spoke and taught about God's creations, influencing many nations (at least temporarily) to recognize the wisdom of God. This was similar to the practice of Abraham (Genesis 21:33) and is what is meant by "And he [Solomon] spoke of the trees, from the cedars of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows on the wall; and he spoke of the animals, the birds, the insects, and the fishes. And people came from all nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom" (1 Kings 5:13-14).
During Solomon's time, the Israelites enjoyed unequaled prosperity (1 Kings 4:20).
3) King Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes (Kohellet), Proverbs, and Song of Songs.

Answer 3

The rulership of David's son Solomon was initially so peaceful and prosperous that it could rightly foreshadow the future Millennial Reign of Christ Jesus. (Ps. 72:1, 17)