wish to build a temple to God; and so, even at the beginning of his reign, did he lay the foundations for it.

Now, the temple that Solomon built was very beautiful.

It was made of cedar, from

the cedars of Lebanon, most wonderfully Within the

carved and overlaid with gold.

temple was the Holy Place, like the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle, and in this the Ark was to be placed. The Holy Place was divided from the other parts of the building by doors of gold richly carved, and before it hung a heavy veil of red and purple.

Inside the Holy Place, Solomon put beautiful golden cherubim, like the cherubim in the tabernacle. An altar, too, of brass he made, and a great basin, or sea, with the figures of twelve oxen around the basin; also there were ten tables and ten lavers and ten

golden candlesticks outside the Holy Place ; and all these were of pure gold.

Seven years was this beautiful temple in building; and then Solomon called all the people of Israel together to dedicate it to God.

The priests brought the Ark and all the holy vessels; and the Ark they placed in the midst of the Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. In the Ark lay the tables of stone which God had given to Moses so long before; and when the priests came out from the Holy Place where they had reverently placed the Ark, behold a cloud of glory filled the temple, for the Lord was there. Then all the people stood with bowed heads, while their good king blessed them and prayed that in the times to come, when trouble should fall upon the people, that always they might find the temple a place of safety and peace.

Then the people offered sacrifices, and Solomon closed the joyous day with a great feast; and when the sun went down he sent the people away, their hearts filled with the promise God had given them, that, so long as they should love and serve the true God, his blessing should be upon them, and that their temple should ever be a place of safety to them all.

So the years went on. Solomon, a wise, good king, and his people prosperous and happy.

Many marvellous things happened, and great proofs were given the people from time to time of God's watchful care over them. Great success was theirs on every hand, and great was the increase of the land. And still, with all these happy conditions, Solomon, after many years, began to forget the God of Israel

and to turn towards the things of his kingdom; for his wealth had become enormous and his power was known to all nations.

He had built for himself a most beautiful home, and cities as well. Every year his ships sailed away across the waters, returning with gold and silver and ivory. People in these distant lands used to wonder much when they heard of Solomon's wealth and wisdom. plates were of solid gold, and his throne was of ivory overlaid with gold. He had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve hundred horse

men.

His

One day, a beautiful queen, the Queen of of Sheba, came many, many miles to see this great king. She brought with her many servants and camels, and much gold and silver and precious spices, for presents to the king; for she had heard of him and longed to be taught by him.