Music: Instruments of Made by Solomon
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In the biblical narrative, King Solomon is renowned not only for his wisdom and wealth but also for his contributions to the cultural and religious life of Israel, including the development and use of musical instruments. Solomon's era is often seen as a golden age for Israel, marked by peace, prosperity, and a flourishing of the arts, including music.

Biblical References

The primary biblical reference to musical instruments associated with Solomon is found in 1 Kings 10:12, which states: "The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Such almug wood has never been brought or seen to this day." . This passage highlights Solomon's use of exotic materials to craft musical instruments, underscoring the opulence and grandeur of his reign.

Types of Instruments

The specific instruments mentioned in connection with Solomon are the lyre and the harp. These stringed instruments were central to the musical traditions of ancient Israel and were often used in both religious and royal settings. The lyre, a smaller, portable instrument, was commonly used for personal and communal worship, while the harp, larger and more resonant, was likely employed in more formal and ceremonial contexts.

Materials and Craftsmanship

The use of almug wood, also known as algum wood, is particularly noteworthy. This wood, possibly imported from regions such as Ophir, was prized for its quality and rarity. The crafting of instruments from such materials indicates a high level of craftsmanship and a dedication to creating instruments that were not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and durable.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Music played a vital role in the religious and cultural life of Israel. Instruments made by Solomon would have been used in the Temple, which he built as a central place of worship for the Israelites. The use of music in the Temple was integral to the worship practices, as seen in various Psalms that call for the use of instruments in praising God (e.g., Psalm 150).

Solomon's contribution to music through the creation of these instruments reflects his broader efforts to enhance the worship experience and to glorify God through the arts. The instruments would have been used by the Levitical musicians, who were appointed to lead worship and praise in the Temple, as described in 1 Chronicles 25.

Legacy

The instruments made by Solomon set a standard for the musical worship that would continue throughout Israel's history. They symbolize the intersection of divine worship and human creativity, illustrating how the arts can be used to honor God. Solomon's investment in music and the arts is a testament to the value placed on beauty and excellence in worship, a principle that continues to resonate in Christian worship practices today.
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1 Kings 10:12
And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen to this day.
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2 Chronicles 9:11
And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the LORD, and to the king's palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah.
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Ecclesiastes 2:8
I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I got me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
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That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That ...
... and delivered the government to him, or not; for that he had made a splendid ... the
earth and the air echoed with the multitude of the instruments of music. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 that david made.htm

Solomon's Repentance
... of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that ... And all the daughters of music
shall be brought ... neighbor as thyself," the great principle made manifest in ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 5 solomons repentance.htm

The First Kings.
... make his instruments of war and instruments of chariots ... that he should try the soothing
effect of music. ... same simple and impressive mention is made of Solomon's ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and
praised ... like the gods of the heathen, confined to temples made with hands ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

Introduction.
... He lived to see musical instruments and congregational ... the Anglican school of church
music, which differed ... gradually reconciled, and together made the model ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/introduction.htm

That when David had Conquered the Philistines who Made War against ...
... with variety of the sounds of musical instruments, and with ... the harp, and joined
in the music, insomuch, that ... him that temple, because he had made many wars ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 that when david.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... Nets are truly instruments of death, but the net of the ... queen of Sheba, who came
to prove Solomon's wisdom, saw ... And whatever they were made of, to be sure they ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
... All things were made from forms and types which were in ... of special men, one is turned
to music, another to ... all, and each may be perfected instruments by which ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/hiram the inspired artificer.htm

On the Psalms. I.
... while the appropriate sound is also made to accompany it, rendered harmoniously
by the instruments; and "songs ... second place, and accompanies the music of the ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on the psalms i.htm

How Pekah Died by the Treachery of Hoshea who was a Little after ...
... round about them, with their musical instruments, and sang ... rest of the priests returned
the music, and sounded ... The king also made garners and receptacles for ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how pekah died.htm

Resources
Should a Christian listen to secular music? | GotQuestions.org

When can music be considered 'Christian music'? | GotQuestions.org

Is Christian rock music appropriate? | GotQuestions.org

Music: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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