This article looks at the subject of work. It begins by looking at what work meant for Adam before and after the fall. Then it jumps ahead to the time of Solomon, and looks at his insights in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

Beale notes the cultic affinities drawn between the garden of Eden and the temple of Israel. The word pair usually translated as "cultivate" ('abad) and "keep" (shamar) occur together in the Old Testament elsewhere referring only either to Israelites "serving" God and "guarding" (keeping) God's Word, or to priests who "keep" the "service" (or "charge") of the tabernacle.

This map shows the nation of Israel and its tribes under the united monarchy (the reigns of David and Solomon).

This map shows the extent of the kingdoms of David and Solomon, also comparing them to that of Saul.