As the temple was being built, only stones shaped at the quarry were used; the sound of hammers, pickaxes, or any other iron tool was not heard at the temple while it was being built.

He built an extension all around the temple; it was seven and a half feet high and it was attached to the temple by cedar beams.

On all the walls around the temple, inside and out, he carved cherubs, palm trees, and flowers in bloom.

All of these were built with the best stones, chiseled to the right size and cut with a saw on all sides, from the foundation to the edge of the roof and from the outside to the great courtyard.

Solomon also made all these items for the Lord’s temple: the gold altar, the gold table on which was kept the Bread of the Presence,

All the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon during the festival in the month Ethanim (the seventh month).

The priests and Levites carried the ark of the Lord, the tent of meeting, and all the holy items in the tent.

Then the king turned around and pronounced a blessing over the whole Israelite assembly as they stood there.

Then they will obey you throughout their lifetimes as they live on the land you gave to our ancestors.

After Solomon finished building the Lord’s temple, the royal palace, and all the other construction projects he had planned,

Now several non-Israelite peoples were left in the land after the conquest of Joshua, including the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

Solomon answered all her questions; there was no question too complex for the king.

But I will not tear away the entire kingdom; I will leave your son one tribe for my servant David’s sake and for the sake of my chosen city Jerusalem.”

During David’s campaign against Edom, Joab, the commander of the army, while on a mission to bury the dead, killed every male in Edom.

For six months Joab and the entire Israelite army stayed there until they had exterminated every male in Edom.

He was Israel’s enemy throughout Solomon’s reign and, like Hadad, caused trouble. He loathed Israel and ruled over Syria.

“Say this to King Rehoboam son of Solomon of Judah, and to all Judah and Benjamin, as well as the rest of the people,

All Israel buried him and mourned for him, just as the Lord had predicted through his servant the prophet Ahijah.

In the third year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king over all Israel in Tirzah; he ruled for twenty-four years.

When he became king and occupied the throne, he killed Baasha’s entire family. He did not spare any male belonging to him; he killed his relatives and his friends.