Chapter 6

Temple construction begins 480 years after the exit from Egypt.  We know from other sources that the Temple construction began in 966 BC.  This also dates the time of the Exodus precisely, and puts it in 1445 BC. 

This verse:

7 When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built. [1Ki 6:7 ESV]

God had always ordered that his altars be built with uncut stone.  Why is the sound of hammer on rock offensive to God?  Why even in the building of the Temple could there be no stone cutting on the actual location?  Also this verse:

18 The cedar within the house was carved in the form of gourds and open flowers. All was cedar; no stone was seen. [1Ki 6:18 ESV]

No stone visible on the inside.  Might make a good study, to see why God doesn't like stone.  MSB has no comment on this verse.

It took seven years to build the temple.  It was finished in the 11th year of Solomon.