The Explanation

King Solomon sat on his throne. He was thinking about his father, David.

David had wanted to build a big house. A house for God. But David could not.

There was too much fighting. Too many enemies.

Now the fighting was over. It was quiet in the land. So quiet.

Solomon sent a letter far away. To a king named Hiram.

"I want to build a house for God," Solomon wrote. "Will you help me?"

Hiram lived where big trees grew. Tall cedar trees. They smelled like the forest, sweet and strong.

Hiram read the letter. He was so happy. He said, "God has given David a wise son!"

Hiram sent word back. "Yes! My men will cut the trees for you."

What Does This Mean?

Listen to what happened next.

Hiram's men chopped down the tall trees. Chop, chop, chop. The trees fell down with a big bang.

They pulled the trees to the sea. They tied them together, like a raft.

The rafts floated on the water, all the way to Solomon.

Solomon sent food back to Hiram. Wheat and oil, so much oil.

Two kings, far apart, working together. Building something big.

Solomon called many men to help too. Thousands and thousands of them.

Some cut wood. Some cut stone, big heavy stones. Some carried, some carried.

Everybody had work to do. Everybody helped build the house for God.

The Common Thread

Why did Solomon want to build this house?

Because he wanted a place for God. A special place.

God had promised David, "Your son will build my house." And now it was happening, just like God said.

God always keeps His promises. Even the ones that take a long time.

Later, God gave the whole world His Son, Jesus. That was a promise too. A promise from long, long ago.

For You

You cannot build a house for God. Not yet, you are too small.

But you can help too. You can carry something. You can share something.

Solomon needed many hands to build his house. Small hands and big hands.

God likes it when we help build something good.

Talk About It

What do you think the cedar trees smelled like?

What could you help carry or build today?

Praying Together

Dear God,

Thank You for Solomon and his big house.

Thank You that You always keep Your promises.

Help me to help too, with my own hands.

Amen.