Solomon had 70,000 men to carry loads, and 80,000 men to quarry stone, and 3600 to supervise them. Solomon contracted with Huram, King of Tyre, for wood for the temple and asked him also for a man with engineering and artistic ability, to work with everything from precious metals to fancy fabrics, and with other skilled men in Judah; but, you see, I don’t think Solomon actually carried, quarried, cut or crafted anything himself.

When the building process actually began, the Bible says that Solomon laid the foundation, overlaid wood with gold, fashioned palm trees, decorated with precious stones, sculpted cherubim, wove fabric, made pillars, chains, furniture, and many other things. The Bible says that he made all the things that were in the house of God, things of great quantity and weight, and even that he brought the valuables of his father David, and deposited these in the treasuries of the house of God.

Solomon prayed to God, acknowledging that he had built Him a wonderful house, according to God’s plan for him to build it. In fact, the Bible tells us that Solomon also built his own house and even cities, and did many other such things.

One might ask how he found time and strength to do all this alone. How could one man do all these things so great and awesome? Certainly by God’s grace and blessing, but that’s not the point here.

Solomon is spoken of as doing all these things, when in reality he delegated almost everything; still he is said to have done it. He did do it of course, by delegating responsibility. The Bible is full of many examples of delegation.

David, his father, knew about delegation as well, as in the teaching of his children; he had Jehiel to do this for him (I Chronicles 27:32); nevertheless, David educated his children, as a father who is ultimately responsible.

Did Solomon really build the temple? Yes, he did. Do parents teach and train their children when they involve others by delegating responsibility, as in a Christian school? Sure they do; this is all part of their teaching their children. They ultimately are the teachers; they may enlist and pay others, but they are training and teaching their children.