Solomon’s Palace
7 Now Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house. 2 He built the house of the forest of Lebanon; its length was 100 [a]cubits and its width 50 cubits and its height 30 cubits, on four rows of cedar pillars with cedar beams on the pillars. 3 It was paneled with cedar above the side chambers which were on the 45 pillars, 15 in each row. 4 There were artistic window frames in three rows, and window was opposite window in three ranks. 5 All the doorways and doorposts had squared artistic frames, and window was opposite window in three ranks.
6 Then he made the hall of pillars; its length was 50 cubits and its width 30 cubits, and a porch was in front of them and pillars and a threshold in front of them.
7 He made the hall of the throne where he was to judge, the hall of judgment, and it was paneled with cedar from floor to floor.
8 His house where he was to live, the other court inward from the hall, was of the same workmanship. He also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom Solomon had married.
9 All these were of costly stones, of stone cut according to measure, sawed with saws, inside and outside; even from the foundation to the coping, and so on the outside to the great court.
10 The foundation was of costly stones, even large stones, stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits. 11 And above were costly stones, stone cut according to measure, and cedar. 12 So the great court all around had three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams even as the inner court of the house of the Lord, and the porch of the house.
This reminds me of something very important, which is that we need to remember to give thanks for every blessing from God. Whether big or small, He loves to give good gifts to His children. But no parent loves to give gifts to ungrateful children!
Yes, God also likes to challenge us, shape us, and mold us. He can and will use difficult circumstances, even painful events, to assist us in becoming more like Him. But to think that’s all there is to God would be shortsighted.
In the New Testament, Paul encourages us “in all things, give thanks, for this is the will of God…” So whether it’s good or bad, give thanks. God is working in your life, and as Job also said, “should we accept good things from God and not trouble?”
So remember, every day, in all things, give Him thanks. You’ll see blessings, and yes, you will also see trials. All of it is from your Father, the King of Heaven (and Earth). Give thanks, be grateful, be generous, as you continue on your journey to become more like Dad.