Solomon Falls & Kingdom Splits

After the Temple, Solomon builds his own palace. The work takes many more years. Workers drag huge stones up the hill. They raise tall halls held up by rows of cedar pillars. A great throne room for judging. Beautiful rooms for living. Wide stone courtyards stretch out on every side.

After all the building is done, Yahweh comes to Solomon again. He speaks a promise and a warning. If you and your sons obey me, a son of David will always sit on this throne. But if you turn away and bow to other gods, I will tear Israel away from you. And this beautiful Temple will become a pile...

Solomon rules a great kingdom! Traders bring treasure from far away lands. Gold pours into Jerusalem. Spices fill the storerooms. Fine cloth stacks high in the palace. Solomon covers everything in gold. Cups. Shields. Plates. Silver is so common that no one even counts it. Visitors walk through and...

1 Kgs 7:1