Blog Posts

Nearly 500 years after Israel left Egypt, and in Solomon's 4th year as king, the temple began construction.  The temple was 90 feet by 30 feet, and 45 feet high.  The vestibule was 30 by 15.  There were chambers on the outside, to house the priests and Levites.  The stones for the temple were cut … Continue reading Solomon’s Temple and Other Buildings (1 Kings 6:1 – 7:12; 2 Chronicles 3:3 – 14)

Solomon's success was powerful and far-reaching, with Israel and Judah stretching from the Euphrates River in the Northeast to Egypt's border in the Southwest.  Nations brought Solomon tribute and they served him, and he had peace on every side.  He had thousands of horses and chariots and horsemen.  God gave Solomon wisdom that excelled that … Continue reading Solomon’s Success and the Temple (1 Kings 4:20 – 5:18; 2 Chronicles 2:1 – 18, 3:1 – 2)

Solomon is now established as a wise man, with great ability to rule Israel.  He chose his cabinet, including the priest, scribes, recorder, commander of the army, more priests, chief of staff, palace supervisor, and secretary of labor.  This was an organized team, with many areas of administration well-provided.  Then Solomon went on to choose … Continue reading Teamwork (I Kings 4:1-19)

Solomon went about his business as king of Israel, made a treaty with Egypt, married Pharoah's daughter, built a house.  However, since there was no house for God, Solomon offered sacrifices to God at high places.  On one such occassion, Solomon offered sacrifices to God at Gibeon, where the Lord appeared to Solomon in a … Continue reading Wisdom: You Asked for it, You Got it (1 Kings 3; 2 Chronicles 1:2 – 13)

Abiathar the priest, according to the judgement against his father Eli, was removed from the priesthood and exiled to Anathoth.  Joab had defected to Adonijah, so he was marked for death.  When he heard that Solomon intended to execute him, he went into the tabernacle and took hold of the horns of the altar.  Benaiah … Continue reading More Housecleaning (1 Kings 2:26 – 46)

David died after forty years of reigning over Israel.  Solomon took the throne and his kingdom was firmly established.  Adonijah came to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and recognized that Solomon was the rightful heir, even though he thought he had the kingdom in his grasp.  He asked one favor: to have Abishag the Shunammite as a … Continue reading David Dies; Solomon Takes Over (1 Kings 2:10-25; 1 Chronicles 29:23 – 25)

After being told of Adonijah's schemes, David called for Bathsheba.  David reaffirmed his commitment to make Solomon king.  He instructed Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah to take Solomon--on David's donkey--to Gihon to anoint him king over all Israel.  When Solomon was anointed, all the people cried "Long Live King Solomon," and the … Continue reading The Rest of the Story…Solomon is King! (1 Kings 1:28 – 2:9)

After David's census, Gods judged Israel with a plague.  The way he would save Israel was given him by Gad when he told him to go to Araunah and build an altar to sacrifice to God.  David went to Araunah and asked to buy his threshing floor.  Araunah offered to give it to him, but … Continue reading David Rescues His People…Twice (2 Samuel 24:18 – 1 Kings 1:27; 1 Chronicles 21 – 22:1, 29:21 – 22)

David instructed Joab to number the people.  He tried to talk him out of it, but David insisted.  God's judgment came against Israel because of the numbering.  David confessed that he sinned by taking the census.  God  offered David three options as judgement on his sin: seven years of famine, three months of his enemies … Continue reading The Census and Judgement (2 Samuel 24:10 – 17)