Space
Throughout the first part of the epic, Solomon is portrayed to be a wise and virtuous ruler. As the story continues, the reader is given the impression that he is slowly becoming consumed by worldly aspirations, such as his ambition to sire a thousand sons from a thousand wives.1 When Solomon continues to focus on his own vanity and self-preservation, his relationship with God weakens. Due to this, Solomon is given various punishments from God—all of which eventually lead to his downfall.
In this section, we will visit the significant chapters of the text and analyze the different ways in which absolute space was used to punish Solomon. The term ‘absolute space’ refers to the quantifiable distance between two points. Particularly, we will be looking at the use of physical separation as a part of the divine punishments given to Solomon.2 In this case, one ‘point’ would be Solomon and the other ‘point’ is what he is being separated from. By distancing the perpetrator from the community that they belong to, one would be able to strip away significant aspects of their identity.
The Punishment Involving Bayna Lihkim3
The first ‘point’ who is separated from Solomon is his firstborn son, Bayna Lihkim. At the time of the Kebra Nagast, he was viewed as the only possible heir to the throne. This means that for the preservation of Solomon’s kingdom, he would need his son to stay in Jerusalem and rule. However, perhaps through the implicit will of God (as is ever-present in many biblical narratives), Bayna Lihkim chooses to go back to Ethiopia. Therefore, the absolute space between Solomon and his son becomes the modern-day equivalent of 3,341 km.4 This type of psychological punishment also indicates that God is not willing to take mercy on Solomon any further, especially as he continues to deprioritize his obligation to Him.
The Punishment Involving the Sons of the Lords of Israel5
After Solomon fails to persuade his son to stay in Jerusalem, he orders the eldest sons of his clergy to go with Bayna Lihkim and form a mirror image of his court in Ethiopia. Although this command was of his own volition, this change in absolute space for his courtiers triggered another divine punishment: the loss of political power, allegiance, and respect. By forcing the sons of the lords of Israel to leave, Solomon immediately loses their favour. They become rejected by their relatives, and realize that they have to leave their country, kin, and people because of the king. The sons consequently abandon their loyalty for the king and form their own pact to love and support each other, while still looking to serve Zion.
The Punishment Involving the Ark of the Covenant6
The third and most crucial ‘point’ is the ark. It is the holiest of artefacts to the biblical peoples of this story. As evident in the initial chapters of the text, we are able to see that those who are entrusted to the safekeeping of Zion are also under the protection of God. When the ark is taken away by Azariah and his companions, it illustrates the idea that Solomon has officially lost the favour of God. This punishment is also direct confirmation that Israel cannot be considered as a place of sanctity while it is under Solomon’s rule. This specific change in absolute space echoes the theme that God’s “chosen people” has shifted from Israelites to Ethiopians. The ark’s will to leave shows that Solomon has lost his claim to spiritual supremacy. Without the blessing of the ark of God’s law, he is also no longer the wisest of all men.
Footnotes
1 From Chapter 34. How Bayna Likhim Arrived at His Mother’s Territory of Gaza: “From 1,000 women, I will sire a thousand male children; through them I will inherit the cities of my enemies and destroy their idols (Puchner, et al. 2018, 592).”
2 This analysis was inspired by Valerie Flint and her essay on Space and Discipline in Early Medieval Europe (Hanawalt and Kobialka 2000, 149-167).
3 This punishment is derived from Chapter 36. In Which King Solomon Meets His Son (Puchner, et al. 2018, 593-594).
4 This is the distance from Jerusalem to Aksum, as given by Google Maps. I have chosen to follow the text’s interpretation of where the Kingdom of Sheba is located. On the Catalan Atlas, the kingdom is interpreted to be in Yemen.
5 This punishment is derived from Chapter 45. About How Those Sent Away Wept and Plotted (Puchner, et al. 2018, 595-596).
6 This punishment is derived from Chapter 48. In Which They Carry Away Zion (Puchner, et al. 2018, 596-597).