The throne was not the only remarkable sight at the court of the
magnificent king. Solomon attracted visitors to his capital by means of
games and shows. In every month of the year the official who was in
charge for the month, was expected to arrange for a horse race, and
once a year (74) a race took place in which the competitors were ten
thousand youths, mainly of the tribes of Gad and Naphtali, who lived at
the court of the king year in, year out, and were maintained by him.
For the scholars, their disciples, the priests, and the Levites, the
races were held on the last of the month; on the first day of the month
the residents of Jerusalem were the spectators, and, on the second day,
strangers. The hippodrome occupied an area of three parasangs square,
with an inner square measuring one parasang on each side, around which
the races were run. Within were two grilles ornamented with all sorts
of animals. Out of the jaws of four gilded lions, attached to pillars
by twos, perfumes and spices flowed for the people. The spectators were
divided into four parties distinguished by the color of their garb: the
king and his attendants, the scholars and their disciples, and the
priests and Levites were attired in light blue garments; all the rest
from Jerusalem wore white; the sight-seers from the surrounding towns
and villages wore red, and green marked the heathen hailing from afar,
who came laden with tribute and presents. The four colors corresponded
to the four seasons. In the autumn the sky is brilliantly blue; in
winter the white snow falls; the color of spring is green like the
ocean, because it is the season favorable to voyages, and red is the
color of summer, when the fruits grow red and ripe. (75)
As the public spectacles were executed with pomp and splendor, so the
king's table was royally sumptuous. Regardless of season and climate,
it was always laden with the delicacies of all parts of the globe. Game
and poultry, even of such varieties as were unknown in Palestine, were
not lacking, and daily there came a gorgeous bird from Barbary and
settled down before the king's seat at the table. The Scriptures tell
us of great quantities of food required by Solomon's household, and yet
it was not all that was needed. What the Bible mentions, covers only
the accessories, such as spices and the minor ingredients. The real
needs were far greater, as may be judged from the custom that all of
Solomon's thousand wives arranged a banquet daily, each in the hope of
having the king dine with her. (76)