God's house is now complete and Solomon turns his attention to building his own home. For several reasons, (lack of need, no supplies saved up, not as much planning etc) building his home took a total of thirteen years. As a part of the Palace campus he builds the House of the Forest of Lebanon. This rectangular building was 150 ft. long, 75 ft. wide, and 45 ft. high. This building was built from the forest of cedars in Lebanon. The Hall of Pillars had many pillars in it and was probably the entrance way into the Hall of Judgement. The Hall Of Judgement was where the daily business of the King was done. Behind these buildings was an open court yard and on the other side was where Solomon built his residence. His residence would include his personal residence, a palace for his harem, and royal apartments for the princess from Egypt he had married.
Next Solomon brought a man named Huram who was a craftsman in bronze work from Tyre.With this craftsman Solomon made pillars, pomegranates, the Sea of cast bronze, 12 oxen, 10 movable stands, 10 bronze basins, the shovel and bowls, the alter of gold, 10 golden lamp stands. All of these supplies plus the material King David had dedicated were then put into the Temple. Most of the supplies were placed in the Holy place. The things David dedicated to the Lord were placed in storage in the side rooms of the Temple. This now completed both the interior and the exterior of the Temple. The time taken to complete BOTH the Temple and Solomon's home was 20 years !
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Friday, February 23, 2018
Chapter 6 Solomon Builds The Temple
With the kingdom safely under his control and all the supplies acquired, Solomon begins a 7 year and 6 month labor of love ....building God's house on earth ! The temple was divided into three distinct areas. The first was the "Holy of Holy's" . It was " 20 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, and 20 cubits high."( verse 20) A cubit was generally thought to be 18 inches long. The average distance from elbow to tip of middle finger. However there has been some discussion else where in the bible that a more "royal" cubit of 21 inches was used. The inside was all overlaid with gold. This was the place where the arc of the covenant was put.
The second area was called The Holy Place. In this large area he would put all the articles the Lord had told him to put. The tables, the show bread, the lamps the alter of incense, etc. This room was 40 cubits long and the same width and height as the Holy of Holy's. This was the actual sanctuary where only the men were allowed to go. In the Holy of Holy's only the priest was allowed to go.
The last section was called the vestibule. This area was 10 cubits long and the same width and height as the other areas. In this area men and women were allowed to go. This would be the area where meeting would take place before and after worship and where the women and children would wait. All around the outside of these areas was storage rooms. These three areas together was called the temple. All areas of the temple was overlaid with gold including but not limited to the floor , walls, and ceiling. some areas was cover with cedar
.
Solomon's next building project would be a house for him !
The second area was called The Holy Place. In this large area he would put all the articles the Lord had told him to put. The tables, the show bread, the lamps the alter of incense, etc. This room was 40 cubits long and the same width and height as the Holy of Holy's. This was the actual sanctuary where only the men were allowed to go. In the Holy of Holy's only the priest was allowed to go.
The last section was called the vestibule. This area was 10 cubits long and the same width and height as the other areas. In this area men and women were allowed to go. This would be the area where meeting would take place before and after worship and where the women and children would wait. All around the outside of these areas was storage rooms. These three areas together was called the temple. All areas of the temple was overlaid with gold including but not limited to the floor , walls, and ceiling. some areas was cover with cedar
.
Solomon's next building project would be a house for him !
Friday, February 16, 2018
Chapter 5 Solomon Prepares To Build The Temple
Since King David was a man of war and had blood on his hands, God would not allow him to build His house. However, Solomon was given peace on all sides and was anxious to build God's house. Therefore, God gave him permission to build it. Solomon started by making arrangements with King Hiram of Tyre to supply the cedar and cypress logs to Solomon in exchange for food. King Hiram's land was perfect for trees but not so good for growing food.
Solomon raised up 30,000 workers and used 10,000 per month in rotation. He sent them to Lebanon . He had 70,000 who carried loads, and 80,000 who quarried stone, and also had 3,300 who were supervisors. Thus along with these workers and those sent by King Hiram they worked together to cut trees and quarry stone to build the Temple. King David had spent the last part of his life gathering money and material to build the Temple. With those supplies and the logs and stone he was now gathering, King Solomon was now ready to build the Temple !
Solomon raised up 30,000 workers and used 10,000 per month in rotation. He sent them to Lebanon . He had 70,000 who carried loads, and 80,000 who quarried stone, and also had 3,300 who were supervisors. Thus along with these workers and those sent by King Hiram they worked together to cut trees and quarry stone to build the Temple. King David had spent the last part of his life gathering money and material to build the Temple. With those supplies and the logs and stone he was now gathering, King Solomon was now ready to build the Temple !
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Chapter 4 Administration And Plenty
With old debts handled, the country unified, and God's man on the throne, chapter 4 opens with the boring chore of setting up his government. It is interesting that Solomon divided the country into 12 territories (Different than the tribal divisions) and appointed a Governor over each one. Each Gov. was to take turns, one each month to provide supplies for the Kings table. This does not sound like a lot but the following is what was required DAILY ! 30 kors ( 1 kor equals about the normal size load that a donkey could carry !) of fine flower, 60 kors of meal, 10 fatted oxen, 20 oxen from the pastures, 100 sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks,and fatted fowl (verses 22 - 23).
God not only supplied all of their needs but also provided peace on all sides of Judah and Israel.This God granted for all the days of Solomon's life. God continued to grant Solomon wisdom that surpassed that of any man ever. He spoke 3,000 proverbs and his songs were one thousand and five. (verse 32) People from all around the world heard of his wealth and his wisdom. They came from every where to give tribute and to hear his wisdom. Solomon prepares to build God's house on earth !
God not only supplied all of their needs but also provided peace on all sides of Judah and Israel.This God granted for all the days of Solomon's life. God continued to grant Solomon wisdom that surpassed that of any man ever. He spoke 3,000 proverbs and his songs were one thousand and five. (verse 32) People from all around the world heard of his wealth and his wisdom. They came from every where to give tribute and to hear his wisdom. Solomon prepares to build God's house on earth !
Thursday, February 8, 2018
Chapter 3 Wisdom ...Requested And Received
With the throne firmly in Solomon's hand, God comes to Solomon in a dream and asks him what he would request of God. With all of the possible options (wealth, fame, long life, etc.) Solomon asks for wisdom to lead God's chosen people. Solomon was around 20 years old at this time and readily confessed that he would not be able to lead with out God ! This made God very happy and rewarded Solomon's answer by giving him wealth beyond any nation, world wide fame, and wisdom that people from around the world would come to see and hear. God said that long life would be connected to Solomon's ability to walk in God's ways and statutes.
The first display of wisdom given by God was the case of the 2 prostitutes who each had a baby. In the night one had rolled onto their baby and killed it. When she woke up she exchanged her dead baby for the others live baby. They both came to Solomon claiming to be the mother and wanted him to decide ! Solomon thought for a minute and ordered his guard to get a sword and cut the baby in half and give each woman half of the baby ! Knowing that the birth mother would rather loose the baby to another woman than for the baby to die. Which is exactly what happened and mother and baby were reunited. When word of Solomon's wisdom got around the people were at ease with his being their King because of his wisdom.
The first display of wisdom given by God was the case of the 2 prostitutes who each had a baby. In the night one had rolled onto their baby and killed it. When she woke up she exchanged her dead baby for the others live baby. They both came to Solomon claiming to be the mother and wanted him to decide ! Solomon thought for a minute and ordered his guard to get a sword and cut the baby in half and give each woman half of the baby ! Knowing that the birth mother would rather loose the baby to another woman than for the baby to die. Which is exactly what happened and mother and baby were reunited. When word of Solomon's wisdom got around the people were at ease with his being their King because of his wisdom.
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Chapter 2 David Dies ... Instructs Solomon
As King David lies dying in bed he calls his son Solomon to his side and gives him his last instructions. In these instructions he mentions several people that David had unfinished business with and asks Solomon to finish this business. The first instruction he gives is seen in verse three where David says ,"And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn." Then he tells Solomon of the promise God has made If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel."
Next David covers the unfinished business David wants Solomon to complete concerning Joab, Barzillai, and Shimei. When David was done instructing David ... He died. David had reigned over Israel for 40 years and was buried in Jerusalem.
Adonijah, Solomon's brother had sent a request to Solomon via Bathsheba. He wanted Solomon to give him Abishag (a part of Solomon's harem) to him for a wife. In those days to have part of the king's harem was to be part king ! Solomon saw that this was a trick to re-take the kingdom from him so he had Adonijah executed !
Next he dealt with Abiathar. Solomon said that he deserved death for his deeds to David. However, he stripped him of his priestly duties and sent him into exile. Then ... when Joab heard what was going on he was scared for his life and ran to the alter and held onto the horn. When Solomon heard this he ordered Joab executed because the horn was intended for accidental crimes. NOT for cold blooded murder.. which Joab was guilty !
Then came Shimei. Solomon told him to build a house and not to cross a certain body of water or he would be killed. He agreed. Some time later Shimei had some of his slaves run away and he chased after the. He caught them and returned home. When Solomon heard this he called Shimei to him and reminded him of their agreement. Solomon had him executed on the spot.
That ended all of the unfinished business of his father David and the kingdom was now solidly in Solomon's hand and God was with him !
Next David covers the unfinished business David wants Solomon to complete concerning Joab, Barzillai, and Shimei. When David was done instructing David ... He died. David had reigned over Israel for 40 years and was buried in Jerusalem.
Adonijah, Solomon's brother had sent a request to Solomon via Bathsheba. He wanted Solomon to give him Abishag (a part of Solomon's harem) to him for a wife. In those days to have part of the king's harem was to be part king ! Solomon saw that this was a trick to re-take the kingdom from him so he had Adonijah executed !
Next he dealt with Abiathar. Solomon said that he deserved death for his deeds to David. However, he stripped him of his priestly duties and sent him into exile. Then ... when Joab heard what was going on he was scared for his life and ran to the alter and held onto the horn. When Solomon heard this he ordered Joab executed because the horn was intended for accidental crimes. NOT for cold blooded murder.. which Joab was guilty !
Then came Shimei. Solomon told him to build a house and not to cross a certain body of water or he would be killed. He agreed. Some time later Shimei had some of his slaves run away and he chased after the. He caught them and returned home. When Solomon heard this he called Shimei to him and reminded him of their agreement. Solomon had him executed on the spot.
That ended all of the unfinished business of his father David and the kingdom was now solidly in Solomon's hand and God was with him !
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