Other Stuff Solomon Did
- During the 20 years it takes Solomon to build the Temple and his own palace (guess it wasn't as quick as it seemed), Solomon has a lot of other stuff on his plate, too. He's swamped.
- He rebuilds some cities and attacks some others. He starts all kinds of important infrastructure projects, too. Basically, whatever he needs or wants to do for Israel, he does.
- When he conquers a city, he takes foreigners as slaves. But no citizen of Israel is ever the King's slave. During this time, Solomon decides to marry the Egyptian Pharaoh's daughter. She doesn't have a name, but biblical ladies are used to that.
- Even though this princess is obviously important, Solomon can't have her staying in the royal palace. After all, it's a holy place. The Ark of the Covenant was there when David was king. She gets her own house so she doesn't taint all the sacred stuff with her foreign ways.
- Meanwhile, Solomon continues being faithful to God. He offers sacrifices to God just like Moses would have wanted. And he appoints priests and temple-workers, just like David would have done.
- When the Temple is finally done, Solomon can kick back and relax. Well, not quite.