In his cooperation with Hiram of Tyre and his entertaining the visit of the Queen of Sheba, we see the height of Solomon's rule. The seeds for the downfall of Israel were laid, however, in Solomon's efforts to accommodate his many foreign wives and the idols they were devoted to.
Solomon
Descent into Ungodliness (Lesson 3B)
First Kings ch. 8 contains Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple. While it is certainly a prayer, it also contains many elements of a covenant renewal or rededication ceremony. The Temple sets a motif that will be developed throughout the remainder of Scripture.
Descent into Ungodliness (Lesson 3A)
Chapters 5-7 describe in somewhat tedious detail Solomon's preparations for and construction of the Temple. Why was such detail necessary? At least three reasons are likely.