All of these things are shown throughout Solomon’s life. Solomon’s birth resulted from God’s grace (2 Sam.12:13), and his days were filled with death. Solomon’s father, David, planted the seeds of a great temple (1 Chr. 22:5), Solomon harvested the fruit of David’s labor by undertaking the construction (1 King 5-8). Solomon established control over his kingdom by eliminating rivals (1 King 1:50-2:46), but also built national unity through his wise judgment and emphasis on worship. David spent his reign breaking down things that had lingered from the reign of Saul, Solomon spent much of his reign establishing a well put together system of government. (1 King 4:1-21). The Lord’s judgment of Solomon’s choices of marrying pagan women (1 King
