has been concluded, from this and from other considerations, that the cities
of the plain stood at the southern end of the Dead Sea. Others, however,
with much greater probability, contend that they stood at the northern end
of the sea. [in 1897].
- SODOMA (Romans 9:29; R.V., “Sodom”), the Greek form for Sodom.
- SODOMITES those who imitated the licentious wickedness of Sodom
(Deuteronomy 23:17; 1 Kings 14:24; Romans 1:26, 27). Asa destroyed
them “out of the land” (1 Kings 15:12), as did also his son Jehoshaphat
(22:46). - SOLEMN MEETING (Isaiah 1:13), the convocation on the eighth day of
the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:36; Numbers 29:35, R.V., “solemn
assembly;” marg., “closing festival”). It is the name given also to the
convocation held on the seventh day of the Passover (Deuteronomy 16:8). - SOLOMON peaceful, (Hebrews Shelomoh), David’s second son by
Bathsheba, i.e., the first after their legal marriage (2 Samuel 12). He was
probably born about B.C. 1035 (1 Chronicles 22:5; 29:1). He succeeded
his father on the throne in early manhood, probably about sixteen or
eighteen years of age. Nathan, to whom his education was intrusted, called
him Jedidiah, i.e., “beloved of the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:24, 25). He was the
first king of Israel “born in the purple.” His father chose him as his
successor, passing over the claims of his elder sons: “Assuredly Solomon
my son shall reign after me.” His history is recorded in 1 Kings 1-11 and 2
Chronicles 1-9. His elevation to the throne took place before his father’s
death, and was hastened on mainly by Nathan and Bathsheba, in
consequence of the rebellion of Adonijah (1 Kings 1:5-40). During his long
reign of forty years the Hebrew monarchy gained its highest splendour.
This period has well been called the “Augustan age” of the Jewish annals.
The first half of his reign was, however, by far the brighter and more
prosperous; the latter half was clouded by the idolatries into which he fell,
mainly from his heathen intermarriages (1 Kings 11:1-8; 14:21, 31).
Before his death David gave parting instructions to his son (1 Kings 2:1-9;
1 Chronicles 22:7-16; 28). As soon as he had settled himself in his
kingdom, and arranged the affairs of his extensive empire, he entered into
an alliance with Egypt by the marriage of the daughter of Pharaoh (1 Kings
3:1), of whom, however, nothing further is recorded. He surrounded
himself with all the luxuries and the external grandeur of an Eastern