King Solomon’s Mines

by Canisha Davis

Archaeologists found 3,000-year-old dung in an ancient mining camp atop a mesa known as Slaves' Hill in Israel's Timna Valley, by Michelle Z. Donahue

During the biblical days where you were worshipped more for your wisdom rather than your wealth. Where mankind strived to be wiser than most. Wisdom isn’t something you can buy nor is it something you can lose. A person who is born wise, remains wise when they become deceased. No one had as much wisdom as King Solomon. King Solomon, the third king of Israel and one of the wisest kings during his time. Despite how wise he was some of his actions were foolish. As author, Jack Zavada explains in his article, “Meet King Solomon: The Wisest Man Who Ever Lived”, to satisfy his curious mind, Solomon turned to worldly pleasures instead of the pursuit of God. He collected all sorts of treasures and surrounded himself with luxury. In the case of non-Jewish wives and concubines, he let lust rule his heart instead of obedience to God. He also taxed his subjects heavily, conscripted them into his army and into slave-like labor for his building projects.

Although he didn’t treat his people the best sometimes, they loved him. In Israel the people worshipped the ground Solomon walked on and was willing to complete any task he had given them. Jack Zavada also states that King Solomon greatest strength was his unsurpassed wisdom, granted to him by God. Solomon ruled with wisdom over Israel for 40 years, securing stability through treaties with foreign powers.

Archaeologists who search for King Solomon’s Mines says that there is no existence of King Solomon except in the Bible. King Solomon surpassed all the kings in wealth and wisdom. Solomon built the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem to house the Ark of the Covenant. The Jewish people love Solomon because he built the temple. But there is no prove that Solomon or his great kingdom has been found. His century, 10th century B.C is unknown. Many scholars question if Solomon was a great king or not. King Solomon’s Mines were never mentioned in the Bible. The story became popularized by a 19th century adventure story and no less than 3 Hollywood movies.

Works Cited: 

History, Discovery. “History Documentary 2016 - Unknown Secret of King Solomon Stories - National Geographic” YouTube.com, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfpMLXPkkY8. 

Zavada, Jack. “Meet King Solomon: The Wisest Man Who Ever Lived” 02 October 2018. Thoughtco.com, 2018. https://www.thoughtco.com/king-solomon-wisest-man-who-ever-lived-701168. 

Donahue, Michelle Z. “Found: Fresh Clues to Mystery of King Solomon's Mines” Nationslgeographic.com, 2017, https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/king-solomon-mines-bible-timna-dung/.

Links to Further Research:

Gannon, Megan. “New Clues To King Solomon's Mines Found.” Livescience.com, 2013, https://www.livescience.com/39438-king-solomons-mines-israel.html

Maranzani, Barbara. “The Search Continues for King Solomon’s Mines: A recent discovery has shed new light on an age-old mystery.” History.com, 2013, https://www.history.com/news/the-search-continues-for-king-solomons-mines.

King  Solomon’s Mines. Dir. Compton Bennett, Andrew Marton. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1950, Film https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042646/ 

The link above takes you to the Internet Movie Database listing for the feature-length film