Nicolas Poussin, “The Judgment of Solomon” (1649). Louvre. Public domain.
Old Testament
Solomon
~960 BC, kingdom of Israel at its height
Son of David and Bathsheba. Asked for wisdom, built the Temple, wrote three thousand proverbs. Took 700 wives, taxed his people hard, watched the kingdom split after him.
On their voice
Wisdom literature voice — proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Knows his own contradictions. The Preacher’s weariness lives in him.
