1 Kings 7-9 Preparing the Houses

Thoughts

Kings 7

After finishing the temple, Solomon spends 13 years building his own palace. (Interesting it is almost double time for his own house than God’s)

((This will be a lot of numbers…))

• It includes:
  • The House of the Forest of Lebanon (175 ft x 90 ft x 45 ft, lined with cedar).
  • The Hall of Pillars and Hall of the Throne (where he judged).
  • A residence for Pharaoh’s daughter (his wife).
• Built with costly stones from foundation to roof.

Solomon brings Hiram from Tyre, a master craftsman skilled in bronze.

• His major works:
  • Two bronze pillars (named Jachin יָכִין (Yākîn) “He establishes” and Boaz בֹּעַז (Bō‘az) “In him is strength”
    • Each pillar: 18 cubits high (~27 ft) and 12 cubits around.
    • Capitals decorated with lily designs and 200 pomegranates in rows (later repeated, totaling 400 pomegranates).
  • The Sea of cast metal: a giant basin, 10 cubits across (~15 ft), 5 cubits high, holding ~12,000 gallons.
    • It stood on the backs of 12 bronze oxen (3 facing each direction).
    • Used for the priests’ purification.
  • Ten bronze stands with wheels, each carrying a basin of ~240 gallons.
  • Other vessels: pots, shovels, bowls, etc.

Solomon also made golden furnishings:

• The altar of gold (incense altar).
• The table for the bread of the Presence.
• Ten golden lampstands.
• Bowls, basins, censers, and hinges of pure gold

When finished, Solomon placed all the items dedicated by David into the temple treasuries.

Kings 8

The priests carry the Ark of the Covenant from the City of David (Zion) into the Most Holy Place of the new temple.The ark contains only the two stone tablets of the covenant given to Moses.

When the priests withdraw, the cloud of God’s glory fills the temple so strongly the priests cannot stand to minister ( Also known as theShekinah שְׁכִינָה (Shekhinah) “to dwell, settle, abide.”

Solomon blesses the people saying the promise of David’s son to build the temple has been fulfilled. 

Solomon stands before the altar, spreads his hands toward heaven, and prays. He praises God, requests forgiveness for sins, and asks for help with many life situations. After praying, Solomon blesses the assembly

Solomon and all Israel offer 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep in sacrifice.The temple is dedicated with joy.

A great festival is held for 14 days (7 days for dedication + 7 for the Feast of Tabernacles). The people return home rejoicing in God’s goodness to David, Solomon, and Israel.

Kings 9

After Solomon finishes the temple and palace (20 years total of building, temple = 7 years, palace = 13 years), the Lord appears to him a second time.

God confirms He has heard his prayer, and that if Solomon walks faithfully, his throne will be established. However, if Israel turns to idols, the temple will be destroyed. 

Solomon gives 20 towns in Galilee to Hiram king of Tyre in exchange for cedar, gold, and resources.Hiram is not pleased, calling them “Kabul” (possibly “good for nothing”).

Solomon imposes forced labor from the remaining non-Israelite peoples (Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites). Israelites serve as soldiers, officials, and overseers.

Major building projects:

• The Millo (probably a fortress).
• Hazor, Megiddo, Gezer (key fortified cities).
• Storage cities, chariot cities, and cavalry cities.
• His own palace and Pharaoh’s daughter’s residence.

Solomon builds a fleet at Ezion-Geber (near the Red Sea).Hiram provides experienced sailors.

Questions
Why name the pillars Jachin and Boaz?

Why did Hiram think the towns were ‘worthless’?

Why was Solomon so intent on obtaining gold and horses? Doesn’t Deuteronomy 17:16–17 warn kings not to obtain many horses, wives, or wealth?

Application

I did the temple application yesterday so I can’t do that today. However today was heavily focused on Solomon’s house. It took twice as long to build his house than God’s temple, almost as if he wanted his palace to be more glorious than the temple. Solomon was full of wisdom, knowledge, and God’s blessings, but perhaps there was some trials of prosperity. Trials aren’t always the hardest part of our faith, sometimes times of blessing and wealth can show our hearts. Hardships can bring us closer to God, but times of prosperity can tempt us to forget Him. Perhaps this was the start of Solomon’s fall into multiple wives and turning to idolatry.

from https://inspiredscripture.com/bible-studies/1-kings-7