I confess—I enjoy following politics. I like the strategy of it all, the gamesmanship, the moves and deals required to get anything done.

I also like reading about political leaders. Recently I finished a book about Winston Churchill, the British prime minister who saved the world from Hitler, written by Boris Johnson, the former mayor of London and current British prime minister. I distinctly enjoyed reading about Churchill through the eyes of a present-day political leader.

So I admit, I felt the conviction settle when I happened upon these words from the Apostle Paul: I urge you then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

While I regularly question the judgement of leaders, and dissect their decision-making, and rant about their policies, I rarely pray for them. Yet Paul underscores such prayer as of first importance.

Even when I disagree with those in power—cringing at certain views while finding others reprehensible—I’m still to pray for our leaders.

Somedays the Word of God annoys me.

This morning I prayed for leaders, by name, of my nation and state and community and around the world. Perhaps you’ll join me, and together we’ll all experience more of the peaceful and quiet lives hoped for as a result.

I Timothy 2 in week twenty-six of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Marco Oriolesi

Solomon built a magnificent temple to the Lord, covering the interior with gold. Literally, tons and tons of gold. His father, David, collected gold through his various conquests, and stored it for use in the future. Solomon opened the vaults and made it rain.

I can’t help but think about construction practices using so much gold. Normally a jeweler works with gold, using small amounts to fashion rings or other pieces of jewelry. In this case, workers pounded out sheets of gold to attach to the walls, overlay beams, and even cover the floors. Golden nails held it all together.

I walked by some guys building a deck in our neighborhood recently. Off to the side lay their discard pile—cut-off ends of boards, bent nails, mistakes in the building process. I don’t imagine there was much of a discard pile of gold outside the temple, too incredibly valuable, even in vast quantities.

Solomon’s spectacular house of worship makes me think of the heavenly city described in Revelation 21. Along with the floors, there we’ll walk on entire streets of gold. Even better, no need for any construction projects, as the presence of the Lord Almighty will serve as our temple.

1 Kings 6 in week twenty-six of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Jingming Pan

Solomon shares this beautiful perspective on parenting:

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

A full quiver of kids—how many might that entail? I heard a speaker once share his opinion that a “full quiver” meant 5 children, but he did say that was only an opinion.

Not knowing much about archery, or how ancient archers arrayed for battle, I looked up the number of arrows typically carried in their quivers. My quick search points to about 20 – 60, which makes sense when trying to poke holes in your enemy.

But for kids? Sounds outlandish, but easily within reach for Solomon. With hundreds of wives and concubines, Solomon sired loads of children, filling multiple quivers. Not sure that’s sustainable in the long run.

As for me and my wife, three wonderful children originally filled our quiver. Two are now married, and so we’re added another couple of wonderful young people (I can’t help but think of them as more kids). So, our quiver’s at five.

Which points me away from the trivia of full quivers, and toward the truth of Solomon’s words. Children are a gift, a heritage and a reward from the Lord, and I feel amply rewarded.

Psalm 127 in week twenty-five of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Annie Spratt

Hiram, the king of Tyre, worked out a deal with Solomon. Hiram traded lumber—large logs of juniper and cedar—for enough wheat, barley, wine and olive oil to feed his royal household until their bellies burst.

Along with the highly prized lumber, Hiram sent a craftsman, a man named Huram Abi. Hiram described Huram as a man of great skill…able to execute any design given to him (2 Chronicles 2:13-14).

Solomon planned to build a magnificent temple to honor the Lord. To do so, he needed huge quantities of materials, including wood, and Hiram king of Tyre sent the best. But Solomon also needed skilled hands to do the construction, and again Hiram sent the best—Huram Abi.

Which reminds me of Proverbs 22:29, Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings, he will not stand before obscure men.

I’m not sure I’ll ever serve royalty, and I’ve certainly stood before obscure men, but this story reminds me of the value of diligent, skilled work. Getting better and better at my craft pays off. It’s worth my time and effort to work hard and improve.

History tells of the glory of Solomon’s temple. I find it encouraging to read in the pages of my Bible the name of the man who actually built the thing.

2 Chronicles 2 in week twenty-five of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Sander Crombach