CHAPTER II. SOLOMON. Reigned B.C. 1010-971. 1 KINGS I. TO XI.-2 CHRONICLES I. TO IX. COTEMPORARY EVENTS. Smyrna founded in Asia Minor by the Ionians. How Solomon began his reign. Solomon began his reign in a most exemplary manner, insomuch that God promised to grant him any request he might choose to ask. asked for. What he He asked for an understanding heart to rule his people wisely. His request granted. God was so pleased with this choice, that he gave him not only wisdom, but riches and glory, "so that there was no king like him." How he shewed his wisdom. He shewed his wisdom, soon after his accession to the throne, in A.t. 1008.1 his judgment between two women, each each of whom claimed to be the mother of a certain child. The case was thus stated to Solomon by one of the women: "This woman and I dwelt in the same house, where each of us was delivered of a male child. She unfortunately happened to smother her child as she lay asleep, and then stole from me my babe, leaving her own dead one in its place. When I woke, I saw plainly that the infant by my side was not mine, but the other woman persisted that it was, and that hers was the living child." adjudged. What he Solomon told an officer to take the live child, cut it in twain, and give an equal half to each. What happened. One woman freely consented to this sentence; but the other cried out: "No, no, my lord, give her the child, but slay it not!" Upon which, he declared the latter to be the true mother. The works he wrote. Solomon wrote the Book of Proverbs, the Book of Ecclesiastes, and Solomon's Song. He was also acquainte X with the nature of all plants and trees, birds, beasts, and reptiles. Tradition ascribes to him also the Book of Wisdom, the Book of Ecclesiasticus, and 1005 psalms, which have perished. his kingdom. The extent of His kingdom extended from the Mediterranean to the Euphratés; and from Orontés to the Red sea and Persian gulf. (1 Kings iv.) King Solomon's chief work. The temple was his great work, begun in the fourth year of his reign. Where it was built. It was built on Mount Mori'ah, in Jerusalem, where Abraham offered up his son Isaac, and where David made his altar when the plague was stayed. Our divine Redeemer was crucified either on the same spot, or close to it. The city of Jerusalem was built on four hills, called Sion or Zion, Acra, Moriah, and Be'zetha or Bet'zeta. What men were employed thereon. Solomon employed on this work 70,000 Canaanites to carry burdens, and 80,000 to cut stones from the quarries; besides 3600 overseers, and 30,000 Jews. took to build. How long it It took seven years to complete; was the first temple ever erected to God; and was superior to anything the world had hitherto seen. dedicated. How it was At its dedication 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep were offered up for peace-offerings. These sacrifices were consumed by fire sent direct from heaven. The dimensions of the temple. The dimensions of the tem ple were as follows-The entire length 140 feet, the width 40, and the height 60 feet. sub-divided. How it was It was subdivided into the holy of holies, the sanctuary, and the porch, a kind of tower, situate at the westend, 240 feet high. What it appeared like. In external appearance it was not unlike a modern church without transepts, only the roof was flat. The edifice was surrounded by two courts, of which the outer inclosed the inner. How long it remained. It stood for 424 years, when it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. A second temple was founded by Zerubbabel 52 years afterwards. The walls and ceilings of Solomon's temple were overlaid with gold; the floor was marble; and the furniture similar to that used in the tabernacle, only very much more magnificent. The gold with which the holy of holies was overlaid amounted to more than 38 millions sterling. The treasures collected by David for this magnificent edifice amounted to 889 millions sterling-a sum greater than our national debt; and the voluntary contributions of the people exceeded six millions sterling. It was plundered four times-(1) by Shishak, king of Egypt, 33 years after its erection, B.C. 971; (2) by Ahaz, king of Judah, to satisfy the demands of Tiglath-pele'ser, B.C. 740; (3) by Hezekiah, king of Judah, to bribe Sennacherib, B.C. 726; and (4) by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who afterwards destroyed it, B.c. 588. The SECOND temple was founded by Zerubbabel B.C. 536. It took 21 years in building, was twice as large as the first, but wanted five important things; viz. (1.) The ark of the covenant; (2.) The shech'inah or divine light; (3.) The holy fire to consume the burnt offerings; (4.) The urim and thummin; and |