I Kings 4-6

 "So he was seven years building it" (6:38). Thousands of "forced laborers" (5:13) from all over Israel brought wood from Lebanon, cut stone in the mountains, transported the materials, and worked in Jerusalem. The temple of cedar, stone, gold, and carved olive wood provided a beautiful place for the Israelites to worship God. God promised to dwell there as long as His people obeyed (6:12).

 This beauty pointed toward the living, eternal Temple, God's people: "Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone ... a holy temple in the Lord ... a dwelling of God in the Spirit" (Eph 2:19-22).