Solomon received much favour from surrounding nations. This is a further foretaste of the coming kingdom, for it speaks in Isaiah of nations bringing their riches to Israel, eg Isaiah 60, particularly poignant in that it speaks of the cedars of Lebanon. Hiram contacted Solomon and Solomon requested that he send much cedar to help build the temple. Hiram was delighted to do this. Note that the prophecy came after Solomon, Solomon's reign was a precursor of what was to come, a mere shadow of the true kingdom.
There was peace between Tyre and Israel, this came on Israel's terms.
Solomon then conscripted labourers from Israel to go and work in Lebanon. This quite clearly described as force labour, though the conditions were quite good, with one month on, two months off. However, this forced labour was to be another seed of the later rebellion.
The building work then began. The data given is about 966 BC. We can then get various details of the temple. The design was similar in pattern to the tabernacle and other temples of the time, being divided into three main areas: the Most Holy Place; the Holy Place and the outer courtyard. It is interesting that we precise instructions for the temple are not given by God, whereas they were for the tabernacle and for the second temple (Ezekiel 40 onwards).
The most important aspect is given in verse 12: "if you follow my decrees ..." Obeying the word of the Lord is the key.
Then we get further details. I wonder why there were cherubim? They were made of gold so could do nothing, unless they were meant to signify something.
Finally the temple was completed after 7 years.
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