Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.
At that same time, Solomon celebrated the festival for seven days, and all of Israel joined him—a huge crowd of people from as far north as the entrance to Hamath all the way south to the river of Egypt.
This verse describes how Solomon and all of Israel came together from across the entire kingdom to celebrate a great religious festival for a full week.
📚 Historical Context
This celebration occurred during the dedication of Solomon's newly completed temple in Jerusalem, around 959 BC. The geographical description 'from Hamath to the river of Egypt' represents the full extent of Israel's territory at its greatest expansion under Solomon's reign. This was likely the Feast of Tabernacles, one of Israel's most important annual celebrations, combined with the special dedication ceremonies.
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