(especially 1 Kgs 11:1–40), but to emphasize that God blessed him and his people in spite of them. 8:1—cf. 1 Kings 9:10 8:4a—cf. 1 Kings 9:18b 8:5b—cf. 1 Kings 9:17b 8:6a—cf. 1 Kings 9:18a, 19 Solomon’s empire is described briefly, in similar vein to David’s imperial achievements (1 Chr. 18:1–13). Emphasis falls on his building work, the verb ‘to build’ (often translated as rebuilt), occurring six times (vv. 1, 2, 4, 4, 5, 6). The whole land is included (v.
Page 361