Study Desk

Solomon had answers for all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her.

How happy your people must be! What a privilege for your officials to stand here day after day, listening to your wisdom!

Praise the Lord your God, who delights in you and has placed you on the throne as king to rule for him. Because God loves Israel and desires this kingdom to last forever, he has made you king over them so you can rule with justice and righteousness."

The king used the sandalwood to make steps for the Temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and to construct lyres and harps for the musicians. Never before had such beautiful things been seen in Judah.)

King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba whatever she asked for—gifts of greater value than the gifts she had given him. Then she and all her attendants returned to their own land.

All of King Solomon's drinking cups were solid gold, as were all the utensils in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. They were not made of silver, for silver was considered worthless in Solomon's day!

Solomon had 4,000 stalls for his horses and chariots, and he had 12,000 horses. He stationed some of them in the chariot cities, and some near him in Jerusalem.

Solomon ruled in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.

When he died, he was buried in the City of David, named for his father. Then his son Rehoboam became the next king.

When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of this, he returned from Egypt, for he had fled to Egypt to escape from King Solomon.

Rehoboam replied, "Come back in three days for my answer." So the people went away.

But Rehoboam spoke harshly to them, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors

So the king paid no attention to the people. This turn of events was the will of God, for it fulfilled the Lord 's message to Jeroboam son of Nebat through the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh.

When all Israel realized that the king had refused to listen to them, they responded, "Down with the dynasty of David! We have no interest in the son of Jesse. Back to your homes, O Israel! Look out for your own house, O David!" So all the people of Israel returned home.

‘This is what the Lord says: Do not fight against your relatives. Go back home, for what has happened is my doing!'" So they obeyed the message of the Lord and did not fight against Jeroboam.

Rehoboam remained in Jerusalem and fortified various towns for the defense of Judah.

This strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and for three years they supported Rehoboam son of Solomon, for during those years they faithfully followed in the footsteps of David and Solomon.

Rehoboam also wisely gave responsibilities to his other sons and stationed some of them in the fortified towns throughout the land of Judah and Benjamin. He provided them with generous provisions, and he found many wives for them.

But he was an evil king, for he did not seek the Lord with all his heart.

"But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not abandoned him. Only the descendants of Aaron serve the Lord as priests, and the Levites alone may help them in their work.