WHO WAS THE LEGENDARY KING SOLOMON?
King Solomon
King Solomon has fascinated historians, scholars and treasure hunters for centuries.
Some have been drawn to his poetry, others to his tales of wisdom - and many to the tales of his phenomenal wealth.
Although the only accounts of him come from the Bible, many historians believe he was a real and immensely powerful figure.
The son of King David - of the David and Goliath story - and Queen Bathsheba, he was the third King of Israel and ruled for 40 years, between 965BC and 925BC.
During his reign, Israel was at the heart of a prosperous and stable empire.
He rebuilt Jerusalem, creating magnificent palaces and fortresses, and also built the first temple to store the Ark of the Covenant.
His life was extravagant. The Book of Kings reveals he had 700 wives, including the daughter of a pharoah and 300 concubines.
The Old Testament also reveals how he was visited by the Queen of Sheba, who was so impressed by his wealth that she arrived on camel with spices, gifts and tons of gold.
According to Bible, he was a prolific writer, composing 1,005 songs and 3,000 proverbs.
Many are still in use, with the expression 'pride comes before a fall' based on one of his sayings.
According to biblical text, the Ark holds the Ten Commandments handed down to Moses by God. This image (ca. 1725-1727) shows the Ark of the Covenant and is by Giovanni Battista Pittoni
Indiana Jones, right, carries away the glistening Ark of the Covenant in the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark by Steven Spielberg
The Copper Scroll, which dates back around 1,900 years, shows several ‘striking parallels’ with the newly translated treatise, Professor Davila said.
The treatise says that the treasures from Solomon's Temple were recorded ‘on a tablet of bronze,’ a metal like the Copper Scroll.
The Copper scroll also discusses the location of hidden treasure, although not from Solomon's Temple. Professor Davila said this might reveal a tradition of inscribing lists of treasures on metal.
The oldest confirmed example of the treatise, which survives to present day, is from a book published in Amsterdam in 1648 called ‘Emek Halachah.’
However, Professor Davila is the first to translate the text into English.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2536549/King-Solomons-treasures-revealed-Newly-translated-Hebrew-text-lists-legendary-riches-including-Ark-Covenant.html#ixzz2yd0HC6wG
