Joab fled to the horns of the altar, thus pleading guilty to the treason; but Solomon ordered him to be slain there, not for that crime alone, but for his former murder of Abner and Amasa: justly honouring and observing the law of God, that no place, however sacred, should screen a murderer from justice. Murder is a crime which is seldom suffered to go undetected, and perhaps seldom unpunished, sooner or later, even in this world. On this occasion Solomon thought it necessary also to restrict Shimei to his residence in Jerusalem, promising him safety while he remained peaceably there, but at the same time declaring that if he trespassed his bounds he should certainly die. Shimei perfectly understood and agreed to the conditions, and for a considerable time observed them; but at length he violated his parole, and his life was accordingly forfeited.

Solomon's reign, as predicted, was peaceable and prosperous: he extended his dominions, so as to reach the fulfilment of the covenant made with Abraham. His first design seems to have been that of building the house of the Lord; accordingly, when Hiram king of Tyre, the cordial friend of David, sent to congratulate Solomon on his accession to the throne, he took the opportunity of applying to him for cedar and other kinds of wood, in exchange for wheat and oil, the produce of Canaan. He also requested that artificers in gold, silver, and brass, should be sent from among the Tyrians, who were early famed for their skill in these arts. His requests were readily

complied with, and the work proceeded prosperously. During its progress, king Solomon married a daughter of Pharaoh king of Egypt, which is generally supposed to have been the occasion of psalm xlv. and the book of Canticles, or Solomon's Song.

The temple was one of the most magnificent and richly adorned buildings that ever existed. The expense was prodigious: the gold and silver only, which was provided for the purpose, amounted to upwards of eight thousand millions sterling; which, Dr. Prideaux observes, greatly exceeds all the treasures of all the monarchs in Christendom.

This sacred edifice was erected on mount Moriah, an eminence of the mountainous ridge termed Mount Zion. (Psalm cxxxii. 13-14,) on the spot that had been purchased of Araunah the Jebusite.

The plan and model of this structure were formed after that of the tabernacle, but of much larger dimensions. It was surrounded, except at the front or east end, by three stories of chambers, each five cubits square, which reached to half the height of the temple, and the front was ornamented with a magnificent portico, which rose to the height of one hundred and twenty cubits: so that the form of the whole edifice was not unlike that of some ancient churches, which have a lofty tower in the front, and a low aisle running along on each side of the building: (see Plate.) The utensils for the sacred service were the same as those of the tabernacle, excepting that several of them, as the altar, the candlestick, &c.

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were larger in proportion to the more spacious edifice to which they belonged. Seven years and six months were occupied in the erection of this superb and magnificent temple. When completed, it was dedicated with peculiar solemnity to the worship of the most High. Solomon himself, led the devotions of the thousands of Israel. The ark was removed into the temple, the sacrifices were offered, the king uttered a prayer the most fervent, pathetic, and humble, prostrating himself low before the footstool of God, and wondering at the condescension that would regard creatures so mean, and sinners so vile, yet clinging to the Divine promise that God would indeed dwell with men on the earth; then pleading, that since God had been pleased there to record His name, He would there meet His people, and bless them according to their need, both then and through all ages. The fire from heaven descended to consume the victims, and thus to prove that these services were accepted: the Divine glory (Shechinah) shone with refulgent brightness from between the cherubims, and thus the God of Israel, according to the prayer of his servant," arose and entered into his rest." On this occasion.. several of the most joyful psalms appear to have been composed, such as the 47th, 97th, 98th, 99th, 100th, 135th, and 136th.

Having completed the temple, Solomon built himself several stately palaces, both in Jerusalem and Lebanon. In his reign, the kingdom of Israel attained