So Solomon built the temple and completed it. – 1 Kings 6:11

Today's Scripture Reading (October 15, 2022): 1 Kings 6

One of the most famous buildings in the world is the "Leaning Tower of Pisa" The famous lean of the tower is a result of the soft ground on which the structure was built along with the incredible weight of the building. Efforts have been made to slow the lean, although not to completely correct it. The hope is that the famous lean could be maintained without having the structure eventually topple over due to the increasing lean.

The tower's architect has traditionally been thought to be Bonanno Pisano. Still, there is evidence that the Pisan architect Diotisalvi began the plan for the building but that Pisano possibly completed the design. The groundbreaking for the Pisan tower took place in 1173 C.E., and construction had started on the tower. But with the addition of the second floor, the structure had already begun to sink and lean, a fact which means there was never a time when the completed tower didn't lean. Work on the building took place in three stages, under the supervision of many master builders. The iconic tower was completed in 1372 C.E.

The Temple in Jerusalem was dreamed by King David. David was the master architect of the building. He had dreamed the Temple in Jerusalem down to some of the finest points. But the task of building what David had imagined was left with his son, Solomon. And so, Solomon arranged for the builders and infused his father's dream into the craftsmen who would actually construct the Temple over the next seven years. Solomon would oversee the whole process.

And when it was completed, the structure was turned over to the priests and Levites, who would care for it long after the builders were gone. Care for the Temple was also left in the hands of kings and future generations, who would ensure that the Temple in Jerusalem remained an important building for generations to come. Admittedly, some did better than others. At times, those responsible for the Temple's care allowed the building to fall into disrepair. But other Kings, like Josiah, took their responsibility seriously and did their best to restore the Temple David dreamed of and Solomon had built.

The Babylonians destroyed Solomon's Temple in 586 B.C.E. The Tower of Pisa almost suffered a similar fate during World War II. The Allies suspected the Germans were using the tower as an observation post. A U.S. Army Sergeant, Leon Weckstein, was dispatched to examine the tower. Weckstein was impressed with the tower's beauty and restrained from calling in an airstrike, saving the building from destruction. If only someone had protected Solomon's Temple in the same manner. 

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 7