Jo’s Place

Solomon Builds the Temple It was in midspring, in the month of Ziv, during the fourth year, of Solomon’s reign, that he began to construct the Temple, of the Lord.  This was 480 years, after the people of Israel, were rescued from their slavery, in the land of Egypt.  The Temple, that King Solomon built, for the Lord, was 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high.  The entry room, at the front, of the Temple, was 30 feet wide, running across the entire width, of the Temple.  It projected outward 15 feet, from the front of the Temple.  Solomon also made narrow recessed windows, throughout the Temple.  He built a complex of rooms, against the outer walls, of the Temple, all the way around the sides …and the rear, of the building.  The complex was three stories high, …the bottom floor being 7½ feet wide, …the second floor 9 feet wide, …and the top floor 10½ feet wide.  The rooms were connected, to the walls of the Temple, by beams… resting on ledg...

Preparations for Building the Temple King Hiram, of Tyre, had always been a loyal friend of David.  When Hiram learned that David’s son, Solomon, was the new king, of Israel, he sent ambassadors, to congratulate him.  Then, Solomon sent this message back to Hiram:  “You know that my father, David, was not able to build a Temple, to honor the name of the Lord, his God, because of the many wars waged against him, by surrounding nations.  He could not build, until the Lord gave him victory, over all his enemies.  But now, the Lord, my God, has given me peace, on every side; I have no enemies, and all is well.  So, I am planning to build a Temple, to honor, the name of the Lord, my God, just as He had instructed my father, David.  For, the Lord told him,  ‘Your son, whom I will place, on your throne, will build the Temple, to honor My name.’  “Therefore, please command, that cedars, from Lebanon, be cut, for me.  Let my men work alongside yo...

Solomon’s Prosperity and Wisdom The people, of Judah and Israel, were as numerous as the sand, on the seashore.  They were very contented, with plenty to eat and drink.  Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms, from the Euphrates River, in the north, to the land of the Philistines, and the border of Egypt, in the south.  The conquered peoples, of those lands, sent tribute money to Solomon …and continued to serve him, throughout his lifetime.  The daily food requirements, for Solomon’s palace, were 150 bushels of choice flour, and 300 bushels of meal; 10 oxen from the fattening pens, 20 pasture-fed cattle, 100 sheep or goats… as well as deer, gazelles, roe deer, and choice poultry.  Solomon’s dominion extended, over all the kingdoms, west of the Euphrates River, from Tiphsah, to Gaza.  And there was peace, on all his borders.  During the lifetime of Solomon, all of Judah and Israel …lived in peace and safety.  And, from Dan, in the north, to Beersheba,...

Solomon’s Officials and Governors King Solomon… now ruled over all Israel, and these were his high officials:  Azariah,son of Zadok, was the priest.  Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were court secretaries.  Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud, was the royal historian.  Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was commander of the army.  Zadok and Abiathar were priests.  Azariah, son of Nathan, was in charge of the district governors.  Zabud, son of Nathan, a priest, was a trusted adviser to the king.  Ahishar was manager of the palace property.  Adoniram, son of Abda, was in charge of force labor.  Solomon also had twelve district governors, who were over all Israel.  They were responsible for providing food, for the king’s household.  Each of them arranged provisions, for one month of the year.  These are the names of the twelve governors:  Ben-hur, in the hill country, of Ephraim.  Ben-deker was in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth-shem...