What does Solomon’s temple have to do with the new year? Answer: Each new year provides a fresh opportunity to examine priorities, and the depiction of events around the construction of Solomon’s temple contained in 1 Kings 5-9 reveals some unflattering things about King Solomon’s priorities that can help us evaluate our priorities from God’s perspective. The narrative about the construction of the temple stops and describes Solomon building his house (palace) before describing the completion of the temple and its dedication.