Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba. When his father died, he came to the throne as the King of Israel. Benefiting from his father's many victories, he governed in a time of peace. With skillful diplomacy and astute land and sea trade, he gained enormous revenues and developed Israel into a mighty and prosperous nation. He constructed the first permanent temple of Jewish worship. His incisive judgments came to be known far and wide. In his lifetime he authored numerous proverbs and songs. His writings were abundant. The Song of Solomon was a work of poetry he penned during his reign as king. In its pages we discover more about the man and learn who he was on a personal level, uncovering relevant guidelines to Christian living.