Bibliograph

Type

Label

Solomon, the lure of wisdom, Steven Weitzman

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references and index

resource.biographical

individual biography

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Solomon

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

670481527

Responsibility statement

Steven Weitzman

Series statement

Jewish lives

Sub title

the lure of wisdom

Summary

Tradition has it that King Solomon knew everything there was to know -- the mysteries of nature, of love, of God himself -- but what do we know of him? Esteemed biblical scholar Steven Weitzman reintroduces readers to Solomon's story and its surprising influence in shaping Western culture, and he also examines what Solomon's life, wisdom, and writings have come to mean for Jews, Christians, and Muslims over the past two thousand years. Weitzman's Solomon is populated by a colorful cast of ambitious characters -- Byzantine emperors, explorers, rabbis, saints, scientists, poets, archaeologists, trial judges, reggae singers, and moviemakers among them -- whose common goal is to unearth the truth about Solomon's life and wisdom. Filled with the Solomonic texts of the Bible, along with lesser known magical texts and other writings, this book challenges both religious and secular assumptions. Even as it seeks to tell the story of ancient Israel's greatest ruler, this insightful book is also a meditation on the Solomonic desire to know all of life's secrets, and on the role of this desire in world history. --From publisher description

Table Of Contents

A life in letters -- A lust for knowledge -- Succession struggles -- Solomonic judgments -- Sacred books, satanic verses -- The King of kings -- Building heaven on earth -- Mining for Solomon's gold -- Difficult questions from a dubious queen -- A thousand and one sex scandals -- Afterthoughts

Creator