The Reign of Solomon (1Ki 2-11; 2Ch 1-9)
Solomon Fails and the Kingdom Divides (1Ki 3-11, 2Ch 1-9)
Building of the Temple at Jerusalem (1Ki 5:1-9:9; 2Ch 2-7)
THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE
1 Kings 8:1-66 (Proper 16/21st Sunday in Ordinary Time; Pentecost 11)
Reading: Acts 7:44-50
Songs:
Theme:
INTRODUCTION
A. Have you ever wondered what is the best way to talk to someone important to your? What should you talk about to that person? There are good ways that get results and there are other ways which will not get results wanted.
B. The same is true is speaking to God.
C. King Solomon’s celebration of the building of the temple, represented the culmination of God’s intent to permanently dwell amongst the people of Israel and marked the end of Israel’s identity as nomadic wanderers.
D. In King Solomon’s celebration we can notice three things which are necessary in speaking to God:
Discussion
I. REVERENCE (8:1-21; 2Ch 5:2-6:14).
Placing The Ark And The Holy Vessels
A. ... they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle ... (8:1-11).
1 ¶ Then Solomon <08010> assembled <06950> (8686) the elders <02205> of Israel <03478>, and all the heads <07218> of the tribes <04294>, the chief <05387> of the fathers <01> of the children <01121> of Israel <03478>, unto king <04428> Solomon <08010> in Jerusalem <03389>, that they might bring up <05927> (8687) the ark <0727> of the covenant <01285> of the LORD <03068> out of the city <05892> of David <01732>, which is Zion <06726>. {chief: Heb. princes}
2 And all the men <0376> of Israel <03478> assembled <06950> (8735) themselves unto king <04428> Solomon <08010> at the feast <02282> in the month <03391> Ethanim <0388>, which is the seventh <07637> month <02320>.
3 And all the elders <02205> of Israel <03478> came <0935> (8799), and the priests <03548> took up <05375> (8799) the ark <0727>.
4 And they brought up <05927> (8686) the ark <0727> of the LORD <03068>, and the tabernacle <0168> of the congregation <04150>, and all the holy <06944> vessels <03627> that were in the tabernacle <0168>, even those did the priests <03548> and the Levites <03881> bring up <05927> (8686).
1. Solomon made sure that those things God had authorized for worship of him were placed in the temple.
5 And king <04428> Solomon <08010>, and all the congregation <05712> of Israel <03478>, that were assembled <03259> (8737) unto him, were with him before <06440> the ark <0727>, sacrificing <02076> (8764) sheep <06629> and oxen <01241>, that could not be told <05608> (8735) nor numbered <04487> (8735) for multitude <07230>.
6 And the priests <03548> brought in <0935> (8686) the ark <0727> of the covenant <01285> of the LORD <03068> unto his place <04725>, into the oracle <01687> of the house <01004>, to the most <06944> holy <06944> place, even under the wings <03671> of the cherubims <03742>.
7 For the cherubims <03742> spread forth <06566> (8802) their two wings <03671> over the place <04725> of the ark <0727>, and the cherubims <03742> covered <05526> (8799) the ark <0727> and the staves <0905> thereof above <04605>.
8 And they drew out <0748> (8686) the staves <0905>, that the ends <07218> of the staves <0905> were seen out <07200> (8735) in the holy <06944> place before <06440> the oracle <01687>, and they were not seen <07200> (8735) without <02351>: and there they are unto this day <03117>. {ends: Heb. heads} {holy…: or, ark}
9 There was nothing in the ark <0727> save <07535> the two <08147> tables <03871> of stone <068>, which Moses <04872> put <03240> (8689) there at Horeb <02722>, when the LORD <03068> made <03772> (8804) a covenant with the children <01121> of Israel <03478>, when they came out <03318> (8800) of the land <0776> of Egypt <04714>. {when the: or, where the}
2. David had placed the Ark in Jerusalem where it resided within a tent but the priests under Solomon’s direction, brought it to a final resting place in the temple’s Holy of Holies.
a. It is important that we realize only those authorized to do certain things in the worship did them.
(1) The priests who were authorized of God to move the ark so the priests did.
(2) Learning from their example we must realize that only those who are authorized by God’s word should be encouraged to take an active role in our assemblies of worship.
b. The significance of the ark having been placed in the temple symbolized God’s throne.
(1) It set God in his rightful place over Israel.
(2) Similarly when we do things as God authorize we too place him in his proper place over us.
10 And it came to pass, when the priests <03548> were come out <03318> (8800) of the holy <06944> place, that the cloud <06051> filled <04390> (8804) the house <01004> of the LORD <03068>,
3. In our text all had been done and found God’s favor, he made it and his presence in the temple, known.
a. When we have God’s approval for what we do in worship of him, and we live for him, then God, so speak, will be present with us.
b. A great problem is that many people actually thing, as generally did Israel, that God was contained to the building.
(1) Therefore, their thinking is that regardless of how they live, if they go into the building they are safe in God’s presence (cp. Jer 26: 2-6).
(2) Shiloh was the location of the former Sanctuary, the Tabernacle.
(a) It had been destroyed and Jeremiah warned Israel that the temple of God would suffer the same fate if the people did not walk in the God's way.
(b) Jeremiah told cautioned Israel against deceptive thinking, “Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD ..." (Jer 7:4).
(3) It is a warning we need to take heed to ourselves for more often than not the word church, to many, means the building.
(4) Proper worship of God includes what is internal and not just external (Deu 10:16; Col 2:11; Jam 1:26-27).
c. We need to allow God’s word to be written on our hearts and not to contain him to a box of dead brick and mortar.
11 So that the priests <03548> could <03201> (8804) not stand <05975> (8800) to minister <08334> (8763) because <06440> of the cloud <06051>: for the glory <03519> of the LORD <03068> had filled <04390> (8804) the house <01004> of the LORD <03068>.
4. Priests cannot stand it (11)
The cloud was probably the same cloud that had led the Israelites through the wilderness (Exo 13:21, 19:16). It was the same cloud that had filled the tabernacle as the time of its inauguration (Exo 40:34-35; Eze1:1-28, 10:18-9, 11:22-3, 43:1-5). It signified that God had taken up residence within the Temple, dwelling in the midst of His people.
5. As everything was being prepared for acceptable worship, Solomon began to speak.
Solomon’s Speech Regarding God’s Favor
B. Then spake Solomon ... (8:12-21; 2Ch 6:1-11).
12 ¶ Then spake <0559> (8804) Solomon <08010>, The LORD <03068> said <0559> (8804) that he would dwell <07931> (8800) in the thick darkness <06205>.
13 I have surely <01129> (8800) built <01129> (8804) thee an house <01004> to dwell in <02073>, a settled place <04349> for thee to abide in <03427> (8800) for ever <05769>.
1.
14 And the king <04428> turned <05437> <00> his face <06440> about <05437> (8686), and blessed <01288> (8762) all the congregation <06951> of Israel <03478>: (and all the congregation <06951> of Israel <03478> stood <05975> (8802);)
2. Solomon blessed the people who were present.
15 And he said <0559> (8799), Blessed <01288> (8803) be the LORD <03068> God <0430> of Israel <03478>, which spake <01696> (8765) with his mouth <06310> unto David <01732> my father <01>, and hath with his hand <03027> fulfilled <04390> (8765) it, saying <0559> (8800),
16 Since the day <03117> that I brought forth <03318> (8689) my people <05971> Israel <03478> out of Egypt <04714>, I chose <0977> (8804) no city <05892> out of all the tribes <07626> of Israel <03478> to build <01129> (8800) an house <01004>, that my name <08034> might be therein; but I chose <0977> (8799) David <01732> to be over my people <05971> Israel <03478>.
17 And it was in the heart <03824> of David <01732> my father <01> to build <01129> (8800) an house <01004> for the name <08034> of the LORD <03068> God <0430> of Israel <03478>.
18 And the LORD <03068> said <0559> (8799) unto David <01732> my father <01>, Whereas <03282> <0834> it was in thine heart <03824> to build <01129> (8800) an house <01004> unto my name <08034>, thou didst well <02895> (8689) that it was in thine heart <03824>.
19 Nevertheless <07535> thou shalt not build <01129> (8799) the house <01004>; but thy son <01121> that shall come forth out <03318> (8802) of thy loins <02504>, he shall build <01129> (8799) the house <01004> unto my name <08034>.
20 And the LORD <03068> hath performed <06965> (8686) his word <01697> that he spake <01696> (8765), and I am risen up <06965> (8799) in the room of David <01732> my father <01>, and sit <03427> (8799) on the throne <03678> of Israel <03478>, as the LORD <03068> promised <01696> (8765), and have built <01129> (8799) an house <01004> for the name <08034> of the LORD <03068> God <0430> of Israel <03478>.
21 And I have set <07760> (8799) there a place <04725> for the ark <0727>, wherein is the covenant <01285> of the LORD <03068>, which he made <03772> (8804) with our fathers <01>, when he brought them out <03318> (8687) of the land <0776> of Egypt <04714>.
3. Solomon pointed out the temple was a fulfillment of God’s promise (v 15; cp. 2Sa 7:5-16; 2Ch 6:6).
a. Solomon was pointing out that God was faithful and reliable.
b. They could count on him to keep his part of the covenant and to show loving kindness.
Transition: Reflecting on what God has done for his people is important.
II. REFLECTION (8:22-61; 2Ch 6:12-42).
Solomon’s Dedication Prayer
A. Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: And he said ... (8:22-53).
22 ¶ And Solomon <08010> stood <05975> (8799) before <06440> the altar <04196> of the LORD <03068> in the presence of <05048> all the congregation <06951> of Israel <03478>, and spread forth <06566> (8799) his hands <03709> toward heaven <08064>:
23 And he said <0559> (8799), LORD <03068> God <0430> of Israel <03478>, there is no God <0430> like thee, in heaven <08064> above <04605>, or on earth <0776> beneath, who keepest <08104> (8802) covenant <01285> and mercy <02617> with thy servants <05650> that walk <01980> (8802) before <06440> thee with all their heart <03820>:
1. Solomon affirmed three realities pertaining to God:
a. his incomparability - “there is no God like thee” (v 23).
24 Who hast kept <08104> (8804) with thy servant <05650> David <01732> my father <01> that thou promisedst <01696> (8765) him: thou spakest <01696> (8762) also with thy mouth <06310>, and hast fulfilled <04390> (8765) it with thine hand <03027>, as it is this day <03117>.
25 Therefore now, LORD <03068> God <0430> of Israel <03478>, keep <08104> (8798) with thy servant <05650> David <01732> my father <01> that thou promisedst <01696> (8765) him, saying <0559> (8800), There shall not fail <03772> (8735) thee a man <0376> in my sight <06440> to sit <03427> (8802) on the throne <03678> of Israel <03478>; so <07535> that thy children <01121> take heed <08104> (8799) to their way <01870>, that they walk <03212> (8800) before <06440> me as thou hast walked <01980> (8804) before <06440> me. {fail…: Heb. be cut off unto thee a man from my sight} {so that: Heb. only if}
26 And now, O God <0430> of Israel <03478>, let thy word <01697>, I pray thee, be verified <0539> (8735), which thou spakest <01696> (8765) unto thy servant <05650> David <01732> my father <01>.
b. his trustworthiness - . “kept ... that thou promisedst ... and hast fulfilled it” (v 24).
27 But will God <0430> indeed <0552> dwell <03427> (8799) on the earth <0776>? behold, the heaven <08064> and heaven <08064> of heavens <08064> cannot contain <03557> (8770) thee; how much less <0637> this house <01004> that I have builded <01129> (8804)?
c. his transcendence - “the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house” (v 27).
28 Yet have thou respect <06437> (8804) unto the prayer <08605> of thy servant <05650>, and to his supplication <08467>, O LORD <03068> my God <0430>, to hearken <08085> (8800) unto the cry <07440> and to the prayer <08605>, which thy servant <05650> prayeth <06419> (8693) before <06440> thee to day <03117>:
29 That thine eyes <05869> may be open <06605> (8803) toward this house <01004> night <03915> and day <03117>, even toward the place <04725> of which thou hast said <0559> (8804), My name <08034> shall be there: that thou mayest hearken <08085> (8800) unto the prayer <08605> which thy servant <05650> shall make <06419> (8691) toward this place <04725>. {toward this place: or, in this place}
30 And hearken <08085> (8804) thou to the supplication <08467> of thy servant <05650>, and of thy people <05971> Israel <03478>, when they shall pray <06419> (8691) toward this place <04725>: and hear <08085> (8799) thou in heaven <08064> thy dwelling <03427> (8800) place <04725>: and when thou hearest <08085> (8804), forgive <05545> (8804). {toward this place: or, in this place}