Day 191..."Solomon prospers and the temple rises...The beginning of Song of Songs...A lame man walks"

Solomon's kingdom is abundantly blessed. One line sums up his first years as king..."there is neither adversary nor misfortune." This era is clearly a departure from the trials, plagues, disobience, and battles of Israel. A temple for the Lord is built over a seven year period. The details are glorious. Thousands upon thousands build the temple to exact specifications. I cannot imagine this awesome construction site without the sound of hammer. (because the rocks were quarried) We move into the sensual language of the Song of Songs today. This part of the Bible can make you blush. Who is the writer? Solomon. There is debate whether he wrote the entire book. In Acts 3, we read the story of Peter and John healing a lame man from birth. Remember how the disciples could not perform miracles earlier? Now...the Holy Spirit is evident through the disciples. Peter claims the miracle came not from power or piety but from God. Ironically, in today's reading, Peter speaks from Solomon's portico.