The Tanakh Podcast

Our chapter speaks of twenty cities that Shlomo transfers to Hiram king of Tyre. Why is Solomon giving away land in the Land of Israel? Why was Hiram unsatisfied with the cities? What might we learn about the state of the economy during the latter Solomonic years?

Chapter 8 describes the festive dedication of the Temple. Our podcast discusses aspects of Solomon's magnificent prayer: 1. Does God reside in the Temple? 2. Is the Temple a Jewish institution or a universal house of prayer?

Why are Solomon's royal buildings subsumed in the account of the Temple? Is this good news or bad news?

Why does our chapter note that we are 480 years (12x40) since the Exodus? Why is Solomon using a new system of months, never used previously (or subsequently!)? Why does Solomon create huge cherubs and attach them to the floor of the Temple? We will try to answer all these questions in our podcast today.

Our chapter describes the way that Solomon develops the Kingdom of Israel to an imperial capital. Solomon controls the region, has the most powerful army, and warm relations with neighboring leaders like Hiram of Lebanon. He also begins the construction of the temple. But above all, Solomon turns Jerusalem to a center of world wisdom and technology. What is the purpose of all these achievements? Why is this critical to Solomon's game plan?

On the face of it, this is a chapter about government and taxation. But on the deeper read we can identify some riveting social history behind the bare statistics

Solomon loves God. When God asks Solomon what his deepest wish might be, it is the ability to guide and judge the nation. "Tzedek and Mishpat" is possibly Judaism's core value, and the principle of justice is the highest virtue to which a king of Israel could aspire.

David instructs Solomon to ensure that both Yoav and also Shimi Ben Gera die a bloody death.  Is David casting his unfinished business on Solomon?  We contend that David is in fact warning a young an untested Solomon that enemies are waiting, plotting his downfall after King David's death. He instructs him to "be strong and be a man" or else, he will soon find the throne taken from him.

Chapter 1  gives us a conmpetition to succeed King David. Who will be king - Adoniya or Solomon? 

The final chapter of Samuel gives us yet another sin of David, and another admission of guilt! And a story resonant of the Akeida. What does it all mean?