His son, Solomon, succeeded him, and also reigned forty years (977-937
B. C.). Then the Hebrew nation attained the height of its power, and he
confirmed and extended the conquests of David. Solomon married a
daughter of a Pharaoh, king of Egypt, formed an alliance with Hiram,
king of Tyre, built the magnificent temple at Jerusalem, and made his
kingdom the supreme monarchy in western Asia.
An extensive commerce was carried on by land and sea. Solomon’s ships,
manned by Phœnician sailors, traded to the farthest parts of the
Mediterranean westward, and from ports on the Red Sea to southern
Arabia, Ethiopia, and perhaps India. From Egypt came horses, chariots,
and linen; ivory, gold, silver, peacocks and apes from Tarshish or
Tartessus, a district in the south of Spain; and gold, spices, and
jewels from Ophir, variously regarded as in southern Arabia, India, and
eastern Africa, south of the Red Sea. The corn, wine and oil of Judæa
were exchanged by Solomon for the cedars of Lebanon supplied by Hiram,
king of Tyre.