King Solomon conscripted work crews from throughout Israel, 30,000 men in all.

Solomon took thirteen years to build his palace.

All of the entrances were rectangular in shape and they were arranged in sets of three.

The wheels were constructed like chariot wheels; their crossbars, rims, spokes, and hubs were made of cast metal.

He made the ten stands in this way. All of them were cast in one mold and were identical in measurements and shape.

Solomon left all these items unweighed; there were so many of them they did not weigh the bronze.

Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward the sky.

When he stood up, he pronounced a blessing over the entire assembly of Israel, saying in a loud voice:

Then all the nations of the earth will recognize that the Lord is the only genuine God.

When the queen of Sheba saw for herself Solomon’s extensive wisdom, the palace he had built,

besides what he collected from the merchants, traders, Arabian kings, and governors of the land.

I will select you; you will rule over all you desire to have and you will be king over Israel.

I will humiliate David’s descendants because of this, but not forever.”

Solomon ruled over all Israel from Jerusalem for forty years.

Rehoboam traveled to Shechem, for all Israel had gathered in Shechem to make Rehoboam king.

They sent for him, and Jeroboam and the whole Israelite assembly came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,

Rehoboam and Jeroboam were continually at war with each other throughout Abijah’s lifetime.

He removed the male cultic prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the disgusting idols his ancestors had made.

The high places were not eliminated, yet Asa was wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord throughout his lifetime.

Now Asa and King Baasha of Israel were continually at war with each other.