The document discusses the historical context surrounding the dedication of Solomon's Temple in 957 BC, highlighting the population of Israel and the significant sacrifices made during the event, which included 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep. It raises questions about the accuracy of these accounts given the estimated population size. Additionally, it notes the environmental impact of Roman and Ottoman occupations, leading to extensive deforestation and a transformation of the region into an arid landscape, with recovery efforts only beginning in the latter half of the 20th century. The narrative also covers Solomon's construction of his palace and government quarters, completed by 943 BC, and the visit of the Queen of Sheba, who traveled 1,700 miles from Yemen to witness Solomon's grandeur, ultimately leaving impressed by his achievements.
December 16th, 2025
April 19th, 2026
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history and_heritage
957 BC Palestine (as erroneously named by the Romans) around the first and second millennia BC was fertile and well wooded. Yet, with a supposed Israelite population by now of about half a million, one might reasonably suspect an element of exaggeration in the accounts of the dedication of the Temple to which large numbers of the populace were witness. It was reported that a sacrifice of 22,000 head of cattle and 120,000 sheep took place (25). It is perhaps interesting to note that appreciable deforestation occurred at the time of the Roman occupation. This was further exacerbated by the utterly indiscriminate and total destruction of the forests during the period that the Levant was within the Ottoman Empire (c. AD1300-1700). The result was that the whole area was reduced to a bare and arid land from which progressive recovery has only been achieved over the last half of the 20th. century. 956 BC
Solomon now continued with the construction of his own palace and the associated quarters for those responsible for the government of the kingdom. This, together with citadel walls and defences, took another 13 years, i.e. until 943 BC. Disbelieving the reports she had received about Solomon's splendour, the Queen of Sheba travelled 1700 miles (2740 km) from southern Yemen (Aden) on a state visit to see things for herself. It seems she came away greatly impressed (26).