BIBLE FILM GUIDE
Solomon
Film · 1997 · 170 min
A 1997 film dramatising the rivalry between Adonijah and Solomon as heirs to David, telling the rise of Solomon over Israel's kingdom.
What the story covers
According to the overview, the film is set while David is still king of Israel in his old age. Among his sons, the ambitious Adonijah and the clever Solomon are fierce rivals because only one of them can be heir to the throne.
In the Bible, the story of Solomon's rise and reign is told across 1 Kings 1–11. The film also involves Nathan, a key prophetic figure who plays a decisive role in the narrative of Solomon's accession.
Where it is in the Bible
- 1 Kings 3:9In this passage Solomon asks God for an understanding heart to judge God's people and to discern good from evil. It anchors the better-known portrait of Solomon as a king famed for wisdom rather than wealth or military might.
- 1 Kings 8:27Solomon speaks these words at the dedication of the temple he has built, acknowledging that even the highest heavens cannot contain God, let alone a house made by human hands. It points to the theological tension of the temple project.
- 1 Kings 9:4God's condition for Solomon: walk before the Lord with integrity of heart and in uprightness, keeping God's statutes and commandments as David did. It sets out the covenant terms attached to Solomon's reign.
- 1 Kings 11:11Because Solomon has not kept God's covenant and statutes, the Lord declares that the kingdom will be torn from him and given to his servant. It marks the tragic turning point of Solomon's reign in 1 Kings.
How it differs from the Bible
The overview only states the rivalry between Adonijah and Solomon under an aging David. Beyond this, specific scenes, dialogue, or departures from the biblical text cannot be assumed from what is provided.
Viewers comparing the film to 1 Kings 1–11 may want to watch for how the lengthy political and court narrative (Adonijah's self-declaration, Solomon's anointing, David's charge to Solomon) is compressed into the film's 170-minute runtime, and how Solomon's later request for wisdom and his eventual unfaithfulness are handled within that span.
Discussion questions
- 1
How does the film present the rivalry between Adonijah and Solomon, and how does this compare with the opening chapters of 1 Kings?
The overview describes Adonijah as ambitious and Solomon as clever, with both positioned as rival heirs. 1 Kings 1 records Adonijah exalting himself and Solomon being anointed king, with Nathan playing a decisive role (1 Kings 1).
- 2
What kind of king does Solomon appear to be in the film, and where in 1 Kings is his request for wisdom recorded?
The overview frames Solomon as clever and ultimately the successful heir. His request for an understanding heart to discern good from evil is recorded in 1 Kings 3:9.
- 3
What warning about Solomon's reign does the Bible give at the end of 1 Kings 1–11, and is there any hint of it in the film?
1 Kings 11:11 states that because Solomon has not kept God's covenant and statutes, the Lord will tear the kingdom from him. The provided overview does not describe later events in Solomon's reign, so viewers can look for themselves whether such a turning point is depicted.
Where to watch
Availability is for Canada and changes over time — check the platform before watching. TMDb ↗
After watching, read the passage itself — you will find details no film has time to show.