Solomon’s backsliding was gradual He started off his rule by killing people. He could have easily disagreed with his father David and refused to kill shimei and Joab.He could have forgiven Adonijah and not killed him.

Once he started sliding slow, the gradient became steeper. Next he married Pharoah’s daughter. He took 7 years to build Lord’s temple 6:38, and thirteen years to build his own home. The contrast between the time taken to build the temple and his palace shows Solomon’s love for wealth and power rather than wisdom His love for God began to fade.

We should love and obey God above everything. Building of God’s kingdom should be our priority over our work and needs.

Cynthia Sathiaraj
Chennai

I kings 6:7

And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.

We are also similar to the temple God describe in I Corinthians 3:16,
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?.
But we also have to be built and build others for his coming kingdom. In this it show sometimes how God works.

Preaching the gospel is important but same is praying silently in a quiet for the people to change, world to restore again. Its not always big works required but working silently on back for people change is also important.

We can make people shine for his kingdom by supporting them, helping them grow in Christ and tell them the about truth making them as finished stones for the temple which God has built for us.

At the quarry, sometimes healing and restoration happens at the place you are, you don’t need to go for some other special place for it. God works silently in you and through you on other life’s but doesn’t need a specified place. Where you are its for a purpose and work is done in your heart, that you be finished stone and shine for him. So stay faithful where you are, God is going to built you and other people through you.

Bieula Selvamani