Israel's Golden Era

2 Chronicles 8

There is so much information in this chapter. Right away it is helpful to note that the temple construction project lasted for 20 years. Just let that sink in for a while . . . 20 Years! You can imagine the scope of it even better knowing the timeline. Children would have grown up watching the progress of both the temple and the king's palace. It had to be an exciting time in Israel.

Isn't it interesting that the Children of Israel were not servants during this era. Instead they make use of the many non-jewish inhabitants and make servants of them and require them to pay taxes. This is the beginning of a caste system which must have rubbed some of the canaanites the wrong way over time.

It's also interesting that Solomon had ships and servants who had knowledge of the sea. This is very significant because it gives this powerful new kingdom the ability to explore beyond its borders and increase its presence in the known world. This is a early hint that Israel was preparing for empire status.

Also in verse 11 we catch of glipse of Solomon's ultimate end . . . he builds a house for his Egyptian wife, the daughter of Pharaoh. He then moves her out of Jerusalem because this is a holy city. It would be a trend which would lead to his inablity to raise his sons in a godly manner and ultimately facilitates the beginning of the end of this golden age.