Study Desk

I have done my best to provide what is needed for the building of my God's Temple. I have given gold for the things made of gold. I have given silver for the things made of silver. I have given bronze for the things made of bronze. I have given iron for the things made of iron. I have given wood for the things made of wood. I have also given onyx stones for the settings, mosaic tiles, all kinds of valuable stones in many different colors, and white marble stones.

I am making a special gift of gold and silver things for my God's Temple. I am doing this because I really want the Temple of my God to be built. I am giving all these things to build this holy Temple.

I have given 110 tons of pure gold from Ophir. I have given 263 tons of pure silver. The silver is for covering the walls of the buildings in the Temple.

I have given gold and silver for all the things made of gold and silver. I have given gold and silver so that skilled men can make all different kinds of things for the Temple. Now, how many of you Israelites are ready to give yourselves to the Lord today?"

The family leaders, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the generals, the captains, and the officials responsible for the king's work, were all ready and gave their valuable things.

These are the things they gave for God's house: 190 tons of gold; 375 tons of silver; 675 tons of bronze; and 3750 tons of iron.

The next day the people offered sacrifices and burnt offerings to the Lord —1000 bulls, 1000 rams, 1000 lambs, and the drink offerings that go with them. They offered these and many other sacrifices to the Lord for all the Israelites.

David son of Jesse was king over all Israel for 40 years. He was king in the city of Hebron for seven years. Then he was king in the city of Jerusalem for 33 years.

David had carried God's Box of the Agreement from Kiriath Jearim to Jerusalem where he had set up another tent for it.

But the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri, who was the son of Hur, had made was in front of the Holy Tent at Gibeon. So Solomon and the people went there to ask the Lord for advice.

That night God came to Solomon and said, "Ask me for whatever you want me to give you."

God said to Solomon, "You have the right attitude. You did not ask for long life and riches for yourself. You did not ask for the death of your enemies. You asked for the wisdom and knowledge so that you can make the right decisions.

Solomon started gathering horses and chariots for his army. He had 1400 chariots and 12,000 horse soldiers. He kept them in the chariot cities and in Jerusalem where he lived.

Solomon imported horses from Egypt and Kue. His merchants bought the horses in Kue for a set price.

They also bought chariots from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver each and horses for 150 shekels of silver each. They then sold the horses and chariots to the kings of the Hittites and Arameans.

Solomon planned to build a Temple to give honor to the Lord 's name. He also planned to build a palace for himself.

Then Solomon sent this message to King Hiram of Tyre: "Help me as you helped my father David. You sent him cedar logs so that he could build a palace for himself to live in.

I will build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord my God. At the Temple we will burn incense in front of him, and we will always put the holy bread on the special table. We will offer burnt offerings every morning and evening, on the Sabbath days, during New Moon celebrations, and on the other special meeting days that the Lord our God has commanded us to celebrate. This is a rule for the people of Israel to obey forever.

This is what I will pay for your servants to cut down the trees for wood. I will give them 125,000 bushels of wheat for food, 125,000 bushels of barley, 115,000 gallons of wine, and 115,000 gallons of oil."

Hiram also said, "Praise the Lord , the God of Israel! He made heaven and earth. He gave a wise son to King David. Solomon, you have wisdom and understanding. You are building a Temple for the Lord . You are also building a palace for yourself.