1 Kings 4-6

Peace and Prosperity fill the land of Israel during the reign of Solomon.  He builds a government much like what we would expect today.  He has governors and administrators and other officials all with work to do.  Not too much so as to feel oppressed.  In fact, the 12 governors had responsibility to provide supplies for the King and his court only 1 month of the year.  But what a huge supply of food was required.  Some commentators estimate that the food mentioned in 1 Kings 4 is enough to feed 20,000 or more people daily.  Now that is a big fellowship dinner!

This is the "golden" age of Israel.  The are at peace and enjoy great political prestige in all of the world because of the wisdom of their King.  He is a poet, a song writer, a great politician, a student of the natural sciences; in short he is equipped with wisdom from on high, which was, as you know, exactly what he had prayed for.

Interesting statement that each of the kings officers accomplished his work "according to his charge."  Isn't that exactly how the church is to work with each member called by God to perform work according to his gift?  Paul speaks of this in the New Testament and when all work with a singular purpose in mind (proclaiming the good news of Jesus?), each providing according to his gifts, the body of Christ grows in stature and influence and the Kingdom of God comes near at hand.

The building of the temple must have been an awesome thing to see.  Seven years in the making with the finest lumber imported from Lebanon.  30,000 men working in Lebanon with the timber, 80,000 men in the quarries laboring with the stone, 70,000 laborers used to carry materials, 3300 men managing all of the phases of the construction.  What a monumental project!! 

When they were completed the Temple was 110 feet long by 50 feet wide by 45 feet high.  Built with the finest cedar and olive wood and gold inlay throughout.  Remember that the people did not enter the temple.  they gathered in the courtyard.  The temple was for the work of the priests and only the High Priest entered the most holy place.  It would certainly have been something to see.  And you can imagine that when Jerusalem was conquered by the Persians and the Babylonians; the great wealth in the temple was choice pickings for looters.

Perhaps God was right in directing the Israelites to build him a tent for his tabernacle.  It had served Israel for 400 years before the erection of the temple.