National Geographic reports a 3,000-year-old defensive wall biblical might refer to the one built by King Solomon, has been unearthed, in Jerusalem, according to Professor Eilat Mazar, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Mazar believes its natural for archaeologists excavating in the Holy Land to consult biblical texts along with other ancient documents. "I don't believe there is an archaeologist who would excavate a site upon which texts have been written without being familiar with those texts," she said. The reference to the wall is also found in this passage and I Kings 9:15
Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.
3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
1 Kings 3
Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.
3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.
8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
16 Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 The one woman said, “Oh, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. 18 Then on the third day after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. And we were alone. There was no one else with us in the house; only we two were in the house. 19 And this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him. 20 And she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. 21 When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead. But when I looked at him closely in the morning, behold, he was not the child that I had borne.” 22 But the other woman said, “No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours.” The first said, “No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine.” Thus they spoke before the king.
23 Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’” 24 And the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought before the king. 25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” 26 Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.” 27 Then the king answered and said, “Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.” 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.
15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
16 Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 The one woman said, “Oh, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. 18 Then on the third day after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. And we were alone. There was no one else with us in the house; only we two were in the house. 19 And this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him. 20 And she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. 21 When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead. But when I looked at him closely in the morning, behold, he was not the child that I had borne.” 22 But the other woman said, “No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours.” The first said, “No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine.” Thus they spoke before the king.
23 Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’” 24 And the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought before the king. 25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” 26 Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.” 27 Then the king answered and said, “Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.” 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.
Wow, how often do we remember Solomon was given wisdom as a child. A married, king child to be sure.
A good number of excavations occurred before 1928. The excavations of the Herodian Temple. Here are some photos and drawings made of old photos:
The Library of Congress has Photos underneath the Temple Mount and above.
And there is a book of maps of theories that seem very well done.
Locating Solomon's Temple by Norma Robertson
http://templemountlocation.com/index.html
This part of the Temple is known to all
as the Wall of the First Temple
Built by Solomon
Herodian Temple exceeded Solomon's built Temple by far.
The Theory is The Double Gates to the right are Solomon's lower walls.
Above is the Golden Gate today
and this is considered shared
with the older Temple
before 1920s Photo below
Drawing of Wilson's exploration
Antiquities are still being found and stood in for the first time. This is a drain put in by Herodian builders.
Women's Court filled with debris about the time Wilson explored.
Under the Double Gate, space. Near where Solomon's Stables would have been.
This will now be included in Western Wall Tours. City Hall from 20 A.D. This might have been where the Sanhedrin Met for Temple Business.
Today, meeting different people and then a Facebook conversation, it's easy to recognize when we connect with people or hit their buttons. Solomon asked for Wisdom. Wisdom to be able to move and shape what God had given him. Better than destruction and power.
And the method God spoke with Solomon we can understand. For the many years of being in Bible Studies and even in line at the grocery store or a family function, people have told me about the Dreams they have had of God.
And so many times, this has shaped their future lives. Things like dreaming of children, now born, who were dreamed of in childhood and given Names in the Dream. People shape their lives around being gifted a Dream of God. And will have the best look come upon their faces to know God has blessed them with His Presence.
Several people have built their lives upon what God has told them in their youth.
We see the old photos and understand better about the Temple. Knowing what we touch today was true then and solid today. We hope to move the stones better and see our faith firm as a Cornerstone of Jesus. And solid to walk the Path and Plan He has given us. Believing God Himself.
Jesus tells us Faith is work. And God does not disappoint us that Solomon would walk and question and think upon what God has Told Solomon in a Dream. Solomon is also a Prodigal Son given the inheritance of daily Blessings. We walk with Jesus.
Abba, Our Abba, Our Father,
The Wind of Life blows where it will.
Let this Wind find us remembering Your Blessings.
Let us find this Lent, we are eager to take the time to find
and
Bless You for our Blessings.
Make these Blessings for Future Generations.
Jesus,
Fill our hearts, fill the hearts of those we Love.
Jesus,
Fill our hearts, fill the hearts of those we Love.
Thank You for the people You have given us.
Jesus bless them and bless them and bless them with Your Love.
Let the Holy Spirit sweep this Nation, finding Easter Week and Your Willing Blessings.
Bless the work of our hands and the thoughts of our heart
Let the Holy Spirit sweep this Nation, finding Easter Week and Your Willing Blessings.
Bless the work of our hands and the thoughts of our heart
and the words of our mouth to cause You to Lift Your Face and Smile.
Jesus, Please, Help us as we need You in all aspects of our lives.
Where we know and even where we do not know even to ask.
Let Your Living Water soak and nourish us all. You are Love.
Reign upon us.
Thank You for our Daily Mercy Given and Blessings.
Thank You for our Daily Mercy Given and Blessings.
Help us to Live the Path You give us with Love.
The Lamb of God is for us.
The Lamb of God is for us.
You have Given us Your Son, Your Word, Your Promises.
Thank You.
Let our Nation and all nations and
Let our Nation and all nations and
all of Your Beloved Children
find more Heaven
and more of Your Good Will on this earth.
We pray for the Storms of Destruction to pass
and end with the Pandemic.
For ALL Your Good Creation.
Ukraine especially.
Bless us all, Father.
We will finish well in Jesus Christ and His Love.
The Words of Jesus bless us.
Thank You. Alleluia. Amen.
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