Study Desk

So they ate and drank that day with great joy before the Lord. They made David's son Solomon king a second time. They poured oil on him to set him apart as ruler for the Lord. And they set Zadok apart as religious leader.

Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of his father David. Everything went well for him, and all Israel obeyed him.

And he ruled over Israel for forty years. He ruled in Hebron seven years, and in Jerusalem thirty-three years.

(But David had brought up the special box of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had made ready for it. For he had set up a tent for it in Jerusalem.)

That night God showed Himself to Solomon and said to him, "Ask Me for anything and I will give it to you."

Now, O Lord God, Your promise to my father David has come true. For You have made me king over as many people as the dust of the earth.

Now give me wisdom and much understanding, that I may lead these people. For who can rule this great nation of Yours?"

God said to Solomon, "You have not asked for riches, much money, or honor, or the life of those who hate you. And you have not asked for a long life for yourself. But you have asked for wisdom and much understanding, that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king. Because this was in your heart,

Solomon's horses were brought in from Egypt and Kue. The men who traded for the king received them from Kue for a special price.

They paid 600 pieces of silver for each war-wagon brought in from Egypt and 150 pieces of silver for each horse. They also sold them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.

Solomon planned to build a house for the name of the Lord, and a king's house for himself.

Then Solomon sent word to King Huram of Tyre, saying, "You sent my father David cedar trees to build him a house to live in. Do the same for me.

See, I am about to build a house for the name of the Lord my God. I will set it apart for Him. There special perfume will be burned before Him. The holy bread will be there all the time. Burnt gifts will be given morning and evening, on Days of Rest, on new moons, and during the special suppers of the Lord our God. This is to be done forever in Israel.

The house I am about to build will be great. For our God is greater than all the gods.

But who is able to build a house for Him? For the heavens and the highest heavens are not big enough to hold Him. So who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except as a place to burn special perfume before Him?

to cut many trees for me. For the house I am about to build will be very great and beautiful.

Then Huram said, "Honor and thanks be to the Lord, the God of Israel. He has made heaven and earth. And He has given King David a wise son. Wisdom and understanding have been given to David's son who will build a house for the Lord and a king's house for himself.

He laid the base for building the house of God. It was thirty long steps, using the old way to find the length. And it was ten long steps wide.

He put stones of much worth on the house for beauty. And the gold was from Parvaim.

For the inside holy place he made chains, and put them on the tops of the pillars. Then he made 100 pomegranates and put them on the chains.