People of the World where are you going? Turn back to God! Back to your faithful principles!
PREPARATIONS FOR THE GREAT TASK
Preparations For The Great Task. When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the LORD this day, who has given David a wise son [to be king] over this great people.
PREPARATIONS FOR BUILDING THE TEMPLE
Preparations for Building the Temple. Behold, I intend to build a house (temple) to the Name of the LORD my God, just as the LORD said to my father David: ‘Your son whom I will put on your throne in your place shall build the house for My Name and Presence.’
SOLOMON’S OFFICIALS AND A PROSPEROUS NATION
Solomon’s Officials and a Prosperous Nation. Judah and Israel lived in security, every man under his vine and fig tree [in peace and prosperity], from Dan [in the north] to Beersheba [in the south], during all the days of Solomon
SOLOMON’S WISDOM A DISCERNING JUDGMENT
Solomon’s Wisdom a Discerning Judgment. Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. Then the king said, “Cut the living child in two, and give half to the one [woman] and half to the other.”
SOLOMON’S PRAYER FOR WISDOM
Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom.Your servant is among Your people whom You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart [with which] to judge Your people, so that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge and rule this great people of Yours?”
PRESUMING AND PERISHING THEREFORE
Presuming And Perishing Therefore. So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck down Shimei, and he died. So the kingdom was established in the hands of Solomon.
PAYING PENALTY FOR BLOODY DEEDS
Paying Penalty For Bloody Deeds. The king said to him, “Do as he has said. Strike him down and bury him, so that you may remove from me and from my father’s house the innocent blood which Joab shed.
A FOOLISH AND FATAL PETITION
A Foolish And Fatal Petition. So now I am making one request of you; do not refuse me.” And she said to him, “Speak.” He said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you; ask that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife.”
JUSTICE AND BROTHERHOOD THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE STATE
Justice And Brotherhood The Foundations Of The State. Solomon said, “If he [proves he] is a worthy man, not even one of his hairs shall fall to the ground; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.
ANOINTING THE CHOSEN ONE SOLOMON ANOINTED KING
Anointing The Chosen One Solomon Anointed King. Zadok the priest took a horn of [olive] oil from the [sacred] tent and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”