The reign of King Solomon is best known for the grand-scale building activities that then took place, chiefly in Jerusalem 1 Kings 9:14-19. Solomon restored the Millo and completed the fortification of the city, enclosing the Ophel area and Mount Moriah within the city walls. He also built a royal palace near the temple. It was entered through a colonnaded hall, fronting the throne hall of the king 1 Kings 10:18-20. Also, he erected �the House of the Forest of Lebanon�, of unclear function. The relationship between Solomon's palace and David's palace is also obscure, though they probably are related. King Solomon was aided by Hiram, king of Tyre, who sent him building materials and artisans in exchange for agricultural products. The Bible even relates that a zoo was built, as befitted the city's splendor.

King Solomon's most celebrated building activity however was the construction of the temple on Mount Moriah. This feat took seven years to complete, employing tens of thousands of workers 1 Kings 5:27-32, 9:20-21. The detailed description of the construction of the temple, its plan, decoration and the many valuable objects placed in it point to its centrality in the ancient world. Nothing survived of Solomon's temple and over the years its decorations and ritual vessels served to payoff threatening enemies. Finally, whatever that remained of the treasures was looted by the victorious Babylonians (in 586 BCE). (A Chronological Table of Kings and Events)