The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) - Episode Summary: Day 148: Solomon's Wealth (2025)

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
• Host/Author: Ascension
• Episode: Day 148: Solomon's Wealth
• Release Date: May 28, 2025
• Duration: Approximately 19 minutes

1. Introduction

Fr. Mike Schmitz welcomes listeners to Day 148 of "The Bible in a Year" podcast, collaboratively presented with renowned Catholic Bible scholar Jeff Cavins. The episode focuses on Solomon's wealth and the construction of the Temple, drawing from 1 Kings Chapter 6, 2 Chronicles Chapter 9, and includes a prayer based on Psalm 4.

2. Building of Solomon's Temple (1 Kings Chapter 6)

Overview: Fr. Mike and Jeff delve into the meticulous details of King Solomon’s construction of the Temple, emphasizing its grandeur and the significance of its design.

Key Points:

• Timeline and Dimensions: Solomon begins building the Temple in the 480th year after the Israelites left Egypt, during the fourth year of his reign. The Temple's dimensions are elaborately described:
  • 60 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high (1 Kings 6:2).
  • Vestibule: 20 cubits long and 10 cubits deep.
• Materials and Craftsmanship:
  • Cedar and Cypress Wood: The interior is adorned with boards of cedar, carved into gourds and open flowers, emphasizing beauty and sanctity.
  • Gold Overlay: The entire Temple, including furnishings like the cherubim and altar, is overlaid with pure gold, signifying its dedication to God.
  • Cherubim: Two olive wood cherubim, each 10 cubits high, with wings that spread out to touch the walls, symbolizing divine presence (1 Kings 6:33-35).
• Construction Practices:
  • Silent Construction: Notably, no hammer, axe, or iron tool was heard during the building process, highlighting the sanctity of the project (1 Kings 6:7).

Notable Quotes:

• Fr. Mike Schmitz [03:20]: "So Solomon built the house and finished it."
• Jeff Cavins [15:08]: "Probably what it could look like. It could be really helpful for you."

3. The Visit of the Queen of Sheba (2 Chronicles Chapter 9)

Overview: The episode transitions to 2 Chronicles 9, narrating the famed visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon, showcasing his unparalleled wisdom and wealth.

Key Points:

• Queen’s Arrival: The Queen of Sheba arrives with a substantial entourage, bringing spices, gold, and precious stones to test Solomon with hard questions (2 Chronicles 9:1).
• Solomon’s Wisdom: Demonstrates his ability to answer all her queries, leading her to praise his wisdom and the prosperity of his reign (2 Chronicles 9:2-12).
• Gifts and Prosperity:
  • Generous Gifts: Solomon receives 100 talents of gold and 20 talents of spices.
  • Extra Offerings: Beyond her gifts, Solomon provides her with whatever she desires, illustrating his magnanimity (2 Chronicles 9:6).
• Solomon’s Wealth: Highlights Solomon’s extensive wealth, including 666 talents of gold annually, 200 large shields of beaten gold, and 300 smaller gold shields, all stored in the Forest of Lebanon (2 Chronicles 9:13-17).
• Military Prowess: Solomon commands an impressive military force with 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horsemen (2 Chronicles 9:25).

Notable Quotes:

• Fr. Mike Schmitz [07:13]: "Happy are your wives. Happy are these your servants who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom."
• Jeff Cavins [20:02]: "It would be roughly $53 million for these shields."

4. Psalm 4 and Guided Prayer

Overview: The episode incorporates Psalm 4, a psalm of David, emphasizing trust in God amidst distress and offering a guided prayer for listeners.

Key Points:

• Themes of Trust and Deliverance: The psalm speaks to finding peace and safety in God despite external chaos (Psalm 4:2-8).
• Guided Prayer: Fr. Mike leads a prayer that echoes the psalm’s sentiments, focusing on gratitude for God’s word, seeking deliverance from trials, and embracing God’s sufficient grace (12:10-13:22).

Notable Quotes:

• Fr. Mike Schmitz [11:12]: "The Lord hears when I call to him."
• Jeff Cavins [12:17]: "Power is made perfect in weakness."

5. Reflections and Insights

Key Themes:

• Solomon’s Extravagance vs. Divine Purpose: Fr. Mike and Jeff reflect on the duality of Solomon’s wealth—while it showcases God's glory, there's an underlying question about the purpose of such accumulation.
• Comparison with St. John Vianney: Highlights the contrast between Solomon’s opulence and St. John Vianney’s humility and focus on beautifying the church for worship rather than personal gain.

Analysis:

• Symbolism of Gold and Shields: The overabundance of gold and the creation of 500 gold shields symbolize an image of strength and prosperity. However, the impracticality of these shields in battle raises questions about their true purpose—"This is just for show".
• Personal Application: Encourages listeners to introspect on the images they project—whether they seek to appear strong, wise, or holy externally while lacking these qualities internally. Emphasizes the importance of aligning one's internal reality with outward expressions of faith and virtue.

Notable Quotes:

• Fr. Mike Schmitz [21:07]: "These shields would be useless in battle."
• Jeff Cavins [22:13]: "Is Solomon becoming an image of strength but not actually strong?"

6. Conclusion and Looking Ahead

Summary: The episode concludes with prayers for personal and communal growth in holiness, goodness, and strength. Fr. Mike and Jeff announce a short break from 2 Chronicles to focus on Ecclesiastes and the Gospel of Mark in the upcoming episodes.

Future Episodes:

• Ecclesiastes: A five-day exploration of Solomon’s wisdom literature.
• Gospel of Mark: Beginning with Chapter 1, spanning through Chapter 16 in subsequent days.

Final Thoughts: Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of constructing one's life and faith with intentionality and purpose, mirroring the sacred dedication seen in Solomon’s Temple.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff Cavins [23:05]: "We knew. That's a great prayer."
• Fr. Mike Schmitz [19:09]: "We can enter into that beauty and therefore enter into worship."

Insights and Reflections

• Temple as a Metaphor: The Temple’s construction symbolizes the sacredness of one’s life and the intentionality required to dedicate oneself to God.
• Wealth and Purpose: Reflects on the balance between material prosperity and spiritual purpose, urging listeners to seek meaning beyond mere accumulation.
• Community and Worship: Emphasizes the role of communal worshipspaces in fostering personal and collective spirituality.

Conclusion

Day 148 of "The Bible in a Year" offers a profound exploration of King Solomon’s wealth and the construction of the Temple, intertwining biblical narratives with practical reflections on faith, purpose, and personal integrity. Through detailed scripture readings and thoughtful commentary, Fr. Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins guide listeners to deeper understanding and application of biblical teachings in their daily lives.

For more insights and to continue your journey through the Bible, subscribe to "The Bible in a Year" podcast by Ascension and visit ascensionpress.com/BibleInAYear.