1 Kings

King David, nearing death, instructed Solomon to follow God's laws and deal with those who had wronged him. After David's death, Solomon became king and had Adonijah, Joab, and Abiathar killed or exiled for their past wrongdoings. Solomon then married Pharaoh's daughter and asked God for wisdom to govern His people, which God granted him. Solomon demonstrated his wisdom by resolving a dispute between two prostitutes and went on to build the temple in Jerusalem, using forced labor and materials from Hiram, the king of Tyre. The temple was completed in seven years, and Solomon assembled the elders of Israel to bring the ark of the covenant to the temple. The Lord appeared to Solomon twice, promising to establish his royal throne over Israel forever if he walked in integrity and uprightness. However, Solomon's many foreign wives led him to worship other gods, and the Lord decided to tear the kingdom from him, but for the sake of David, he would not do it during Solomon's lifetime. After Solomon's death, the kingdom was divided, with Rehoboam, Solomon's son, reigning over Judah and Jeroboam, a servant of Solomon, reigning over the other ten tribes.