APRIL 12

        Chapter 4 records the princes of Israel during Solomon's 
reign. Solomon's kingdom was the largest in Israel's history and God 
gave great wealth to Solomon. Also, verse 25 indicates that Israel 
and Judah dwelt in safety and prosperity.

        In chapter 5 we see the preparation for building the Temple. 
David had begun the project (with God's approval), but God had made 
it clear that Solomon would do the actual work. David already had 
the plans and the costly materials, and before his death he 
encouraged Solomon in the work and assured him that God would 
faithfully help him.

        The building of the Temple represented the cooperative 
efforts of many people, both Jews and Gentiles. The materials 
secured were the finest; great and costly stones that would endure, 
and precious metals were used that would give glory to the Temple. 
Reading about the materials to be used in the Temple reminds us of 
Paul's admonition in I Corinthians 3 concerning the local church. He 
said we should build the church with gold, silver, and precious 
stones, not with wood, hay, and stubble.

        Solomon begins to build the Temple in chapter 6. Space will 
not permit us to go into details concerning the actual construction 
of the Temple, or the meaning of the various materials used in its 
construction; but it would be well for you to study the construction 
of the Temple. There are long and lasting meanings concerning every 
portion of it. Notice particularly in chapter 6:11-13 that God 
reminds Solomon that the important thing was obeying His Word, not 
building a great Temple.