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The narrative portrays the court of King Solomon during the erection of the temple and his palace, detailing the vast workforce, materials, and international trade that supply the construction and the king's riches. It sketches principal figures such as the master builder Hiram-Abiah, the stern overseer Azariah, and visiting queens who bring lavish gifts, and it depicts daily life at court, including the king's extensive household with numerous wives and concubines and the ceremonial provisions and guards that sustain royal luxury. Through descriptive scenes the work explores themes of wealth, architectural grandeur, desire, and the rituals of power in an ancient royal setting.
(1) The Russian version of this passage reads: “... jealousy is cruel as the grave: the arrows thereof are arrows of fire.” In this, I have been given to understand, it adheres more closely than does the English Bible to the original Hebrew.
(2) “Which is the second month...” I KINGS; vi:1.
(3) “Which is the eighth month...” I KINGS; vi:38.
(4) “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” PROVERBS; xxv:11.
(5) Abimelech; i. e., Father-King.