Holier Than Thou - Writings of Solomon

Who wrote the books of the Bible and when?

Book of Proverbs (Hebrew Mishle), a collection primarily of the wise sayings of King Solomon, was written as late as the tenth century B.C., the primary author of which was King Solomon, son of King David and Bathsheba, named Jedidiah ("beloved of God") at birth by Nathan the prophet (2 Samuel 12:24-25), who began ruling sometime between the ages of 12 and 20, and reigned for 40 years (cerca 977 to 937 B.C.). Solomon was reported to have spoken 3,000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:32), many of which were copied by the men of King Hezekiah (Proverbs 25:1). The Book of Proverbs, admitted as Hebrew canon at the end of the first century A.D., contains advice for living a godly life and includes the following: prologue; exhortations to embrace wisdom and warnings against folly; proverbs of Solomon; wise sayings of Agur son of Jakeh; wise sayings of King Lemuel; an acrostic poem about the wife of noble character.

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, the king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life; doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:1-7)

Ecclesiastes, (Hebrew Koheleth, "preacher") about the futility of chasing after worldly pleasures, was written around the tenth century (940-935) B.C., the author of which was King Solomon. All vanity and material possession is a chasing after the wind (1:14), and the only satisfaction and peace comes from obeying and fearing the Lord (12:13). The Book of Ecclesiastes, included into Hebrew canon in A.D. 100 after much debate about its human reason versus divine inspiration, includes these primary subjects: everything is meaningless; a time for everything; man's lot in life; wisdom; a common destiny for all; conclusion of man's duty.

I, the Teacher, was was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.
I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge." Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18)

Song of Songs, also known as The Song of Solomon, or Canticles, a series of poems about Solomon's love for a young Shulammite woman and her passionate responses, was written around the tenth century B.C. by King Solomon. Many scholars have considered it an allegory or symbol of God's love for Israel. Later theories hold it to be a marriage song for weddings. It has been recorded that Solomon's songs numbered one thousand and five (1 Kings 4:32), and that he had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines (1 Kings 11:1-3), many of which were of foreign descent whom God warned not to marry, and who led him astray in the end. Solomon's Song of Songs, traditionally read during Passover, includes: dialog of adulation between the lover and the beloved; Solomon's praise and adoration of the Shulamite woman; encouragement from the young woman's friends; his lover's yearning response.

How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are doves. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of sheep just shorn, coming up from the washing. Each has its twin; not one of them is alone. Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon; your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate. Your neck is like the Tower of David, built with elegance; on it hangs a thousand shields, all of them shields of warriors. Your two breasts are like two fawns, like twin fawns of a gazelle that browse among the lilies. Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, I will go to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of incense. All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you. (Song of Songs 4:1-7)