# King Solomon — Short Fiction character guide

> King Solomon in Short Fiction by Aleksandr Kuprin.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Solomon

**First appearance:** 0163-sulamith

## Snapshot

The wisest and greatest of kings, whose late love for a vineyard girl becomes the one thing that outlasts all his glory and wisdom.

## Who they are

Solomon rules Israel in splendor, surrounded by the treasures of Hiram of Tyre and the mysteries of Isis and Osiris, a king whose wisdom is legendary and whose power seems absolute. Yet his first and last love, the vineyard girl Sulamith, undoes his composure and reveals a man capable of tenderness, apology, and joy. Their love becomes the story's central claim: that every woman who loves is a queen, and that love is strong as death.

## Relationships

### [Sulamith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/characters/sulamith)

_romantic_

King Solomon and Sulamith are passionate lovers, with Solomon deeply enamored by her beauty and devotion.

### [Anna Georgievna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/characters/anna_georgievna)

_social_

Anna Georgievna is a courtier who interacts with King Solomon in formal, ceremonial settings.

### [Anna Georgievna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/characters/anna_georgievna)

_social_

Anna Georgievna is a courtier who interacts with King Solomon in formal, ceremonial settings.

### [Sulamith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/characters/sulamith)

_romantic_

King Solomon and Sulamith are passionate lovers, with Solomon deeply enamored by her beauty and devotion.

### [Sulamith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/characters/sulamith)

_romantic_

King Solomon and Sulamith are passionate lovers, with Solomon deeply enamored by her beauty and devotion.

## In the story

### [The Park of Kings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/the-park-of-kings)

Implied as a former ruler; the narrative focuses on the King of Trapesund, a deposed monarch living in the Park of Kings.

### [Sulamith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/sulamith)

The wise and powerful king who falls deeply in love with Sulamith, composing the Song of Songs for her.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/i)

Central figure; described as wise, wealthy, and renowned, not yet middle-aged at forty-five.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/ii)

The central figure of the chapter, described in lavish detail regarding his appearance, power, and love life.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/iii)

The central figure, granted divine wisdom, yet wearied by human knowledge and seeking higher truth.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/iv)

Disguises himself as a shepherd to court Sulamith, using poetic language from the Song of Songs.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/v)

Presides over judgments, displays wisdom and generosity, refuses the high priest of Moloch.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/vi)

The king who meets Sulamith in the vineyard and declares his love for her.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/vii)

King Solomon adorns Sulamith and declares his love, preparing for their marriage.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/viii)

The king who adorns Sulamith with jewels and discourses on their magical properties, experiencing his first and last love.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/ix)

Solomon is the king, poet, sage, and lover who spends seven days with Sulamith, sharing wisdom and stories from his life.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/x)

Referenced as the object of Queen Astis's obsessive love and hatred; he has cooled toward her and ceased attending the temple rites.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/xi)

Referenced as the king who loves the vineyard girl, the object of Queen Astis's jealousy.

### [The Seventh Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/xii)

Solomon spends the seventh night with Sulamith, philosophizes about death and reunion, orders Eliab's execution and Astis's exile, and commands a poignant inscription.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/characters/king_solomon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/characters