Completed with Quality

 At times there are shortages of skilled labor due to the rising numbers of new construction

projects or the public's decreased interest in building trades. This transition into increased

construction needs was seen in King David's time. "Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to

David with cedar trees and carpenters and stonemasons; and they built a house for David" (2

Samuel 5:11 NASB). There was a need for both carpenters and stonemasons and this need was

met through a trade agreement with Hiram, king of Tyre. King David could have used the

knowledge and labor of the native Jews in Jerusalem but he wanted the highest quality building

possible and sought the most qualified builders.

 King Solomon had every single stone block which was used for his construction projects

cut in the field so that no hammer was heard on site (1 Kings 6:7). This style of building, which

was not practiced by other nations required meticulous attention to detail. Solomon also made

sure that all of the materials used were of the best quality. He gathered materials from other

nations and spared no expense when building the temple of God in Jerusalem (1 Kings 5:17).

His buildings were uniquely constructed with the best quality materials he could find.

 This emphasis on quality is also seen in the construction of the second temple, which was

built with great care as it says in the book of Ezra, "Let it be known to the king that we have

gone to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with huge

stones, and beams are being laid in the walls; and this work is going on with great care and is

succeeding in their hands" (Ezra 5:8 NASB). Building with quality products and quality

workmanship in construction produces longer lasting structures. Each of the two temples built in

Jerusalem lasted over 400 years. Both of them would have lasted centuries longer, possibly even

until now, if they had not been destroyed by Israeli adversaries. One lesson that can be gained

from this history regarding ancient builders is that the benefit of building with quality far