Solomon was David's son and king of Judaea. When God appeared before him and asked what he might desire, Solomon did not ask for wealth or power. Instead, Solomon asked for the wisdom to judge between good and evil and God gave him what he desired.

It was soon after known throughout the world that Solomon was the wisest of all the kings in the world and so, the king of Egypt came to test him. The king posed Solomon a simple riddle, and if he could answer it, would reward him with vast riches and most importantly his daughter's hand in marriage. The riddle was as follows:

What can you say to a happy man to make him sad that will also make a sad man happy?

Solomon thought and replied: "Gam zeh ya'avor" (this too shall pass).