When Solomon Was King Author:Sheila MacGill Callahan When Solomon, the great king of the Old Testament, was a young man, he saved the life of a wounded lioness. For his compassion and humility, Solomon was given the gift of being able to understand and speak the language of animals. After he became king, however, his power grew so great that he forgot the lessons of his youth and grew arrogant, un... more »til a fateful moment when another lion charged furiously at him.« less