DBG - April 19 - I Kings 8-9

In this chapter Solomon dedicates the Temple

vs. 1-11 – Note in vs. 2 that this takes place in the seventh month. Since the construction ended in the eighth month (6:38), there has been almost a year of preparation made for this grand celebration. The “feast” is the Feast of Tabernacles. We will see in vs. 65 that the combined celebration of the Dedication and Feast of Tabernacles is two weeks in length. Note in vs. 8 that the staves are removed from the Ark. This was not done in the Tabernacle. This shows the expected permanence of placing the Ark there. The inventory of items in the Ark can be compared to Hebrews 9:4. The additional items may have been place beside the Ark.  God’s approval of the Temple is shown by the appearance of the “glory cloud”, or shekinah (“the dwelling”).  I believe this is the visible, tangible glory of God manifested from His presence.

vs. 12-61 – Solomon’s first remarks (vs. 12-13) are to the priests, noting the presence of the cloud and its significance. He continues by addressing the people (vs. 14-21) and acknowledging the fulfillment of God’s promise to David in the building of the Temple. He then kneels and offers a grand dedicatory prayer (vs. 22-54). He prays that God would accept this building and dwell among them (vs. 23-30), that judgment would be right (vs. 31-32), that God would hear their prayers of repentance in days of defeat (vs. 33-34), that God would hear their prayers in time of drought and pestilence (vs. 35-40), that the strangers be converted (vs. 41-43), and that God would be with them in battle (vs. 44-45). The climax of the prayer (vs. 46-53) asks that God hear the prayer of repentance if Israel should ever stray and be taken from the land. Solomon then pronounces a blessing on the people (vs. 55-61). He praises God for His blessings and faithfulness to Israel and charges the people to serve Him faithfully.

vs. 62-66 - A full week is set celebrated for the dedication of the Temple, and then the following week it appears the Feast of Tabernacles was observed. 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep are offered as peace offerings over the course of the celebration.

In this chapter the greatness of Solomon’s reign is described.

vs. 1-9 – Solomon is 41 years old and has accomplished the major projects that defined his reign – the Temple, his palace, the house of Pharaoh’s daughter, etc. The Lord appears again to Solomon for the second time. This time He does not offer Solomon anything other than a warning. If Solomon would serve the Lord faithfully then he and his house would be blessed. If Solomon did not serve the Lord and instead turned to idols, then judgment would come.

vs. 10-28 – With the building projects finished, Solomon’s previous treaty with Hiram has been completed. By comparing with the account in II Chronicles 8:1-2, it appears that Hiram was granted the revenue from these cities for the period of the construction projects and at this point control of them is transferred back to Israel. The territory, which Hiram called Cabul (“How little! as nothing”), is in northwest Galilee and bordered the Phoenician territories. For the lease of these cities Hiram paid Solomon 120 talents of gold. At the end of the lease the cities were returned to Solomon who built them up. We see multiple cities that were built during Solomon’s reign beside the laborers in Jerusalem. Some of these were fortified with garrisons. The Canaanite people that remained in the land were made to work as bondservants under the supervision of Israelite officers. Solomon offered three large offerings each year in the Tabernacle. II Chronicles 8:13 tells us these took place at the Feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The final verses of chapter 9 speak about a navy and gold trade based on the Red Sea. The Israelites were historically not seafaring people, but the Phoenicians of Tyre were some of the most legendary mariners of the ancient world. Hiram partners with Solomon by sending these experienced sailors to aid in bringing gold from Ophir. The exact location of Ophir is unknown, but it was likely in the southern or western part of the Arabian Peninsula or perhaps in India or Africa. The amount of gold brought in by this enterprise was 420 talents.

One of the interesting things you will note about Solomon’s prayer of dedication in Chapter 8 is that he looks beyond the celebration around him and foresees days of trouble.  He recognizes that not every day would be such a high day as they were experiencing.  He calls upon God to likewise be with them in days of battle and drought.  He asks God to be ready to forgive them if their hearts go astray.  You could say this day was the high water mark of the Jewish Kingdom.  The are many turbulent times ahead, but the fact is that God remains just as faithful in those dark times as He did on this greatest of days.

Our hymn today is “O Thou, Who Gav’st Thy Servant Grace”, written in 1827 by Reginald Heber.  Its opening words are inspired by Solomon’s prayer in 8:23.

O Thou, Who gav'st Thy servant grace
On Thee, the living Rock to rest,
To look on Thine unveilèd face,
And lean on Thy protecting breast;

Grant us, O King of mercy, still
To feel Thy presence from above,
And in Thy word, and in Thy will
To hear Thy voice and know Thy love;

And when the toils of life are done,
And nature waits Thy just decree,
To find our rest beneath Thy throne,
And look in certain hope to Thee.

To Thee, O Jesus, Light of Light,
Whom as their King the saints adore,
Thou strength and refuge in the fight,
Be laud and glory evermore.