The LORD appears to Solomon a second time as at Gibeon: He has consecrated this temple, set His name there forever, and His eyes and heart will be there perpetually. If Solomon walks in integrity and uprightness like David, keeping statutes and ordinances, his dynasty will continue on Israel's throne forever; but if Israel turns to other gods, this temple will become a heap of ruins and a byword among nations. Solomon gives Hiram twenty cities in Galilee for his timber and gold (one hundred twenty talents), but Hiram calls them Cabul ('as nothing'). Solomon's conscripted labor builds Hazor, Megiddo, Gezer (given by Pharaoh), Beth-horon, Baalath, storage cities, and chariot cities; Canaanites become forced labor while Israelites serve as soldiers and officers. Pharaoh's daughter moves to her house, and Solomon offers burnt offerings three times yearly. His fleet at Ezion-geber, manned by Hiram's sailors, brings four hundred twenty talents of gold from Ophir.
Read 1 Kings Chapter 9 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
David's son, wisest and wealthiest king, builder of the temple, but later fell into idolatry
Prophet who confronted Baal worship and demonstrated God's power on Mount Carmel
Wicked king of Israel who promoted Baal worship through his wife Jezebel
Ahab's Phoenician wife who promoted Baal worship and persecuted God's prophets
Solomon's son whose harsh policies caused the kingdom to divide
King of Israel
Ruler of Egypt during the Exodus
Places in This Chapter
Gibeon was a Canaanite city whose inhabitants tricked Joshua into making a peace treaty. God made the sun stand still here during Joshua's battle. Solomon offered sacrifices at the great high place in Gibeon, where God appeared to him in a dream offering him anything he asked.
Egypt plays a significant role throughout the Bible, from the time of Abraham to the flight of the Holy Family. Joseph was sold into slavery there and rose to become second to Pharaoh, saving his family during famine. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years before God delivered them through Moses in the Exodus. Jesus' family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod, fulfilling the prophecy "Out of Egypt I called my son."
Galilee was a region in northern Israel where Jesus grew up and conducted much of His ministry. Jesus called His first disciples here, performed many miracles, and taught large crowds. After His resurrection, Jesus met His disciples in Galilee and commissioned them to make disciples of all nations.
The wilderness refers to the desert regions of Sinai and Judea. Israel wandered here for 40 years after the Exodus. John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea, and Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days. It represents testing, preparation, and encounter with God.
The Red Sea (Hebrew: Yam Suph, "Sea of Reeds") was miraculously parted by God to allow the Israelites to escape from Egypt. The waters then returned to drown Pharaoh's army. This event became central to Israel's identity and is celebrated throughout Scripture as God's mighty act of salvation.
Position in Book
Solomon becomes king, receives wisdom, builds the temple, but later turns to idolatry.