Absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is a famous saying that proves to be true in the life of Solomon. God had said not to inter marry with women of other countries. However Solomon wanted to have more wives than anyone. In those days it was seen as a sign of wealth and power. The more wives you had the more power and wealth you had. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines ! The reason God had given for not marrying foreigners was that the women would lead him to worship other gods. This proved to be true as Solomon built temples on hills to several different gods. One was Ashtoreth who was the goddess of love and fertility. Another was the Ammonite god called Milcom. The way to worship this god was the sacrifice of children on the fire. Another was Chemosh who was the god of the Moabites. The sacrifice of children in the fire was also customary.
It was in the middle of all of the disobedience by Solomon that the prophet came to Solomon's servant Jeroboam and said that God was going to take 10 tribes of Israel away from Solomon's son and give them to him. He also made Jeroboam the same promise He had made to David. If he walked in His ways and kept His commandments, as his servant David had, He would make his kingdom last a long time ... but not forever. This tells us that even though Solomon had done evil in the eyes of God, He was still going to reunite all of Israel at some time and keep His promise to David.
This was a really sad chapter to read. Solomon had everything a man could ever want and at the end of his life he was far away from God and had lost all that God gave. This is truly a lesson for all of us to learn ! No matter what you have, you have because of the grace of God and He can take at any time .... including your life !
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Chapter 10 The Queen Visits !
This is one of the most interesting chapters in the bible !! Through out this chapter it seems like Solomon is basking in the glow of all the blessings that God promised and is using it all for good and being very generous. This all true ... however God saw this as Solomon showing off and disobeying His commands !
When the Queen of Sheba comes to visit Solomon she brings a huge amount of tribute. Her goal was to see and test the fame and wisdom that God had given to Solomon.She gave many tons of gold, rare spices and animals. In exchange Solomon had answered all her questions. Solomon had built up many cities and stocked many with thousands of horses, stables, and riders. He had given many gifts to the Queen and had hid nothing from her ! For this last one the kingdom will pay when her armies return and plunder Israel. In the book of Deut. God tells His people not to keep horses, stables or riders because these were implements of war. The Jews were to rely on God for their defense not on their own power.
The spiritual lessons here are many but we can see that although Solomon is glowing from all the blessings, God is now arranging for these wrongs to be corrected. The same goes for us today. Even though it may look like you are being blessed ... be careful ! Make sure to stay in prayer and try to look at things from God's perspective and not from yours. Also, even though God sees it differently, he does not stop the blessing quickly. Many people are deceived when they sin by thinking if they are not punished at that moment, that God must be O.K. with the sin you have just done. As Paul would later say in the New Testament, " God forbid !! "
When the Queen of Sheba comes to visit Solomon she brings a huge amount of tribute. Her goal was to see and test the fame and wisdom that God had given to Solomon.She gave many tons of gold, rare spices and animals. In exchange Solomon had answered all her questions. Solomon had built up many cities and stocked many with thousands of horses, stables, and riders. He had given many gifts to the Queen and had hid nothing from her ! For this last one the kingdom will pay when her armies return and plunder Israel. In the book of Deut. God tells His people not to keep horses, stables or riders because these were implements of war. The Jews were to rely on God for their defense not on their own power.
The spiritual lessons here are many but we can see that although Solomon is glowing from all the blessings, God is now arranging for these wrongs to be corrected. The same goes for us today. Even though it may look like you are being blessed ... be careful ! Make sure to stay in prayer and try to look at things from God's perspective and not from yours. Also, even though God sees it differently, he does not stop the blessing quickly. Many people are deceived when they sin by thinking if they are not punished at that moment, that God must be O.K. with the sin you have just done. As Paul would later say in the New Testament, " God forbid !! "
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Chapter 8 The Ark, The Dedication, And The Benediction
Eleven months after the completion of the Temple the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the Holy of Holy's. It was done at this time to coincide with the Feast of the Tabernacle. The priests and the Levites brought it up and put it in it's spot. The handles that God had commanded be used to carry the Ark were left on. They were very long, but would be needed by the priest who went in once a year into this very dark room, and would be used to find his way around.
Solomon went to the altar of burnt offering and made his very long prayer of consecration to the Lord of the Temple and bringing in the Ark. This prayer of consecration covered three areas : 1) He confirmed that there was no god that could compare the God of Israel. 2) He asked the Lord for His continued presence no matter how far the Jews would wonder. 3) Lastly he recalled 7 Israel prayers that recalled the detailed list of curses that Deut. 28 : 15-68 listed for the breaking the Law. These were some of them ... Forgive sins that had caused defeat in battle,sins brought on by drought, sins resulted in national calamity, to show mercy to foreigners, give victory in battle, and bring restoration after calamity. Solomon probably had no idea but the Jews would need every one of these blessings and then some !
Solomon then turned to dedicate the Temple. When doing this he went to sacrifice on the altar all the animals. There was no room. It is believed that he had built many altars for use ONLY for the dedication in addition to the main one. The amount of animals sacrificed was amazing. 22,000 bulls, 120,000 sheep, in addition to the peace offering and the grain offering. WOW !!!
Solomon went to the altar of burnt offering and made his very long prayer of consecration to the Lord of the Temple and bringing in the Ark. This prayer of consecration covered three areas : 1) He confirmed that there was no god that could compare the God of Israel. 2) He asked the Lord for His continued presence no matter how far the Jews would wonder. 3) Lastly he recalled 7 Israel prayers that recalled the detailed list of curses that Deut. 28 : 15-68 listed for the breaking the Law. These were some of them ... Forgive sins that had caused defeat in battle,sins brought on by drought, sins resulted in national calamity, to show mercy to foreigners, give victory in battle, and bring restoration after calamity. Solomon probably had no idea but the Jews would need every one of these blessings and then some !
Solomon then turned to dedicate the Temple. When doing this he went to sacrifice on the altar all the animals. There was no room. It is believed that he had built many altars for use ONLY for the dedication in addition to the main one. The amount of animals sacrificed was amazing. 22,000 bulls, 120,000 sheep, in addition to the peace offering and the grain offering. WOW !!!
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Chapter 7 Home, Buildings, and Temple Fixtures
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 !
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 !
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 !
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