1
It took Solomon another thirteen years to finish building his own palace complex.
2
He built the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon a hundred and fifty feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high.
3
There were four rows of cedar columns supporting forty-five cedar beams, fifteen in each row, and then roofed with cedar.
4
Windows in groupings of three were set high in the walls on either side.
5
All the doors were rectangular and arranged symmetrically.
6
He built a colonnaded courtyard seventy-five feet long and forty-five wide. It had a roofed porch at the front with ample eaves.
7
He built a court room, the Hall of Justice, where he would decide judicial matters, and paneled it with cedar.
8
He built his personal residence behind the Hall on a similar plan. Solomon also built another one just like it for Pharaoh's daughter, whom he had married.
9
No expense was spared - everything here, inside and out, from foundation to roof was constructed using high-quality stone, accurately cut and shaped and polished.
10
The foundation stones were huge, ranging in size from twelve to fifteen feet, and of the very best quality.