1 Kings 7-8

It took Solomon 7 years to build the temple, but 13 years to build his own house.  The temple was glorious, but it seems that Solomon may have wanted his house to be more glorious.  The Bible never finds fault with him doing this.  It may have taken longer because he had none of the materials provided or prepared like that of the temple.  Plus perhaps there was more of an eagerness to build the Temple of the Lord than his palace.

Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and was the best bronze craftsman around so Solomon brought him from Tyre to cast the temple furnishings in bronze.  When he and Solomon finished, Solomon had them brought to the temple.  Solomon then had the Ark of the Covenant brought to the temple by the priests where they set the ark in the Holy of Holies.  There was nothing in the ark except the 2 stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.  When the priests left the Holy Place, the cloud which was the glory of the Lord filled the temple.  When the presence of God’s glory filled the temple, the priests couldn’t perform their services.  God is holy and the holiness of God made the priests feel they could no longer stand in His presence because of their sinfulness.

Solomon praised the Lord and offered a prayer of dedication.  He recognized the temple was the fulfillment of God’s plan and not his or his father.  He recognized that God was completely unique and no other gods could compare to Him.  He knew God as Maker and Promise Keeper.  The workers were only human instruments, but the work was God’s.  In his prayer he recognized the nature and character of God.   He asked God to dwell in this place and honor those who seek Him there.

Then Solomon blessed the people.  He prayed on his knees.  Ezra prayed on his knees (Ezra 9:5), the Psalmist called us to keel (Ps. 95:6), Daniel prayed on his knees (Dan. 6:10), people came to Jesus kneeling (Matt. 17:14; 20:20; Mark 1:40), Stephen prayed on his knees (Acts 7:60), Peter, Paul and also other early Christians prayed on their knees.  Jesus prayed on His knees (Luke 22:41).  The Bible doesn’t require us to pray on our knees.  There were many other times when prayer was offered when there was no kneeling.  There are many positions for prayer.  Some danced and sang their prayers (Ex. 15:20), bowing heads (Ex. 12:270), falling to the ground (Job 1:20), dancing and playing tambourine and harp (Ps. 149:3), lifting of hands (1 Tim. 2:8), etc.  All these actions are acceptable and appropriate in the worship of God, but it’s important to come to Him in humbleness and with a sincere heart.

When you pray and worship God, are you humble and have a sincere heart?

Solomon asked God to listen to the people’s prayers.  He prayed about many different types of trouble.  He prayed that God would be their judge.  He prayed God would forgive people.  He prayed that God would accept the prayers of foreigners.  He understood that God’s good news was for all people.  He asked the Israel be successful in wars.  He prayed that the people would turn towards Jerusalem to pray. 

Do you often pray for others, even those who have hurt you?

Do you praise God for what He has done for you?

Do you recognize Him for His character and who He is?

Do you know God as Maker and Promise Keeper?

Solomon blessed the people and told them to be completely loyal to God.  He reminded them how   God had helped them in the past and that they must obey.  He asked God to help them in their troubles.

Solomon dedicated the temple.  He offered sacrifices and burnt offerings to the Lord.  He held a feast and they celebrated before the Lord for 14 days.  This is called the Feast of Tabernacles.  This was the beginning of the daily sacrifices for sin at the temple.  Because of Jesus’ death as our sacrifice, there is no need for more sacrifices.  He was the one perfect sacrifice which was enough for all our sin for all time. (Heb. 7:27; 10:10-12).

Principle:  Jesus was our perfect sacrifice, once and for all.

Next time we will continue our study of 1 Kings.  Hope to see you here.

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