Conclusion of Solomon Builds the Temple

When Solomon finishes his prayer, fire comes down from heaven.  It burns up the animal sacrifices that have been made. And a bright light from Jehovah fills the temple.  This shows that Jehovah is listening and that he is pleased with the temple and Solomon's prayer.  The temple, rather than the tabernacle, now becomes the place where the people come to worship.

For a long time Solomon rules in wise way, and the people are happy.  But Solomon marries many women from other countries who do not worship Jehovah.  Finally his wives get Solomon to worship other gods too. Do you know what happens when Solomon does this? He no longer treats the people kindly. He becomes cruel, and the other people are not happy anymore.

This makes Jehovah angry with Solomon, and he tells him: 'I will take the kingdom away from you and give it to another man. I will not do this in your lifetime, but the rule of your son.  But I won't take all the people of the kingdom away from your son.' Let's see how this happens.

1 Chronicles 28:9-21; 29:1-9; 1 Kings 5:1-18; 2 Chronicles 6:12-42; 7:1-5; 1 Kings 11:9-13.

Next time: The Kingdom Is Divided

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