The Lord's palace is complete

Everyone has heard of the saying, "Rome wasn't built in a day."
Well, neither has the palace that Solomon had built for the Lord.  Thirteen years it took.
In 1 Kings, chapter 7, the house dedicated to the Lord was complete.  And it was furnished with the finest.  The chapter goes into great detail on this.
The Lord deserves the best we can provide.  Solomon proved that.  What have you done lately?

Joy at what the Lord has brought you

Psalms 30 is a short but hearty psalm that is worth reading when one is feeling down.
In it, one speaks that the Lord draws you up and does not let one's enemies win.  The Lord restores one's life, even when one is feeling depressed.
In verse 11, the Lord can turn one's mourning into dancing, clothing one in gladness.
Thank the Lord forever!

Preparing for God's Temple

In the book of 1 Kings, chapters 5 and 6, Solomon is preparing to build a temple to worship God.
He first contacted Hiram, a king in Tyre, who had loved David.  We learn that David could not build such a temple--or house--to honor and worship God due to the amount of enemies that had surrounded David's kingdom.  The constant wars consumed his time and energy.
But now that David's enemies had been vanquished, it was a time for peace.  And a time to build.  The foundation took four years to build, and several more to finish building it before moving on to his own house.
These chapters showcase the commitment one needs in order to devote one's life for God.  And with God's helping hand, He will keep your enemies at bay while He helps to build your life.

Solomon's wisdom

In the 4th chapter of 1 Kings, Solomon is ruler over all of Judah and Israel.
His great wealth was obtained through great wisdom granted by God.  He organized the lands and there was peace all around.  Those who served Solomon were granted the gifts of his wisdom.  They lacked for nothing.
People came from all over to gain from his wisdom.

Gaining wealth

In the thirteenth chapter of Proverbs, much is given to wisdom and wealth.

One of the best verses is 11: "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it."  It goes to show that great riches is only gained the best slowly, like the tortoise in the tale of the Tortoise and the Hare.

In verse 20, it speaks of one's companions.  Wise people hang out with wise people, while fools harm only themselves.

Verse 22 is another favorite: "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children . . ."

The Lord grants Solomon a gift

In the book of 1 Kings, chapter three, Solomon married the daughter of an Egyptian Pharaoh.  Then, he finished building his house, so he could offer sacrifices in the name of the Lord.
One night, the Lord appeared to Solomon in his dream.  He asked Solomon what he wishes the Lord to give him.
Solomon was humbled by the request.  He stated how much the Lord had given his father, David, and shown him His great love.  He asked God for great wisdom and an understanding mind to govern the Lord's people.
God was pleased by this request.  Solomon didn't ask for riches, so God gave him both riches and great wisdom.

David passes the torch to Solomon

Solomon, King David's son, had some large shoes to fill.

In the book of 1 Kings, chapter two, David gave his final instructions to his son, for her knew that he was dying.  One of the best lines, in verse 4, reads: "'If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and all of their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'"  Those were powerful words.  David gave Solomon the guide to leaving a lasting legacy in the name of God.

Upon David's death, Solomon's brother Adonijah had their mother go to Solomon, to request a woman to be his wife.  Solomon knew what Adonijah tried to do before, to take over the throne, against the wishes of the Lord, and had his brother killed.  He gave mercy to those who served his father well, and put to death those who did not.