BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

Under Solomon’s rule, the land of Israel flowers into the Edenic country that Yahweh promised. Herds of plump cattle graze on lush, green hills. Ripe figs and grapes hang in fragrant clusters. Fields rustle golden in the summer breeze. Stalks of wheat and barley bow their heads with grain.

The people of Israel are fruitful and multiplying. Hopefully, they soon outnumber the sand on the seashore, too many to count, just as Yahweh promised Abraham about his descendants (see Gen. 12:2-3).

Solomon is the new Adam in this garden land. He carries out humanity’s original call to rule creation according to Yahweh’s instruction and wisdom. Kings and queens flock to Jerusalem to hear Solomon’s world-famous insights. Solomon uses his vast wealth to upgrade Yahweh’s tabernacle into a magnificent temple.

The temple’s design points to Eden, as the tabernacle had done previously. Walls engraved with flowers and trees, surfaces covered with gleaming gold, and the cherubim guarding Yahweh’s sacred space all evoke the glorious Heaven-on-Earth garden where God dwells with humanity. The Israelites believe the temple is a permanent house for Yahweh to reside, in the middle of a fruitful garden land.

This wise king’s reign spreads peace and blessing generously to all nations. We cannot avoid wondering: Is this the restoration of Eden and the ruler we’ve been waiting for?

Reflection Questions

• Meditate on the interactions between Solomon and Hiram, the king of Tyre. What do these stories suggest about the relationship between Israel and the nations when living under Edenic conditions?
• Compare the descriptions of the temple and Solomon’s palace. How much time does Solomon spend on the construction of each “house”? How large is each building? What hint does this small detail give about Solomon’s priorities?