Solomon began building the temple in the fourth year of his reign, and construction of that temple continued for seven years. It was what people today would call a pre-fabricated buildingall the pieces were fashioned to fit together prior to being assembled at the site of the temple (1 Kings 6:7). Can you imagine preparing stone and boards without the aid of power tools or motor-driven machines? Can you imagine the expense of all the gold used? Or all the carvings? Or all the kinds of wood? To do all of that by hand is beyond our ability to imagine! Consider the brass work in 1 Kings 7:13-47 and the gold work in 7:48-51.
With enormous pomp and ceremony, the temple was dedicated. Solomon invited all the whos who in Israel to attend the temples dedication that began with moving the Ark of the Covenant from the tent to its place in the new structure. The animal sacrifices that were a part of moving the Ark of the Covenant and the furnishings of the tent were too numerous to count. When the Ark was situated in its new home, a cloud filled the structure to the extent that the priests could not function in the room that was before the room containing the Ark.
As Solomon began his address to the people (1 Kings 8:12-30):
1. He acknowledged Gods message to David concerning the temple.
2. He blessed God for keeping His promise (though Solomon had the temple built, it was God that provided the opportunity).
3. He acknowledged that God did not ask for the temple, but David did well to envision this heart gift to God.
4. Though the temple was Davids idea, Solomonnot Davidbuilt it as was decreed by God.
5. God was credited with allowing the temple to come into being.
6. God was credited for allowing Solomon to be King.
7. As elaborate as the structure was, it could not contain the boundless God.
8. Though the boundless God could not be confined to a building, would God please accept this temple as a special place of prayer?
Solomon listed a number of prayers that he requested God to hear and respond to when a person or group prayed toward the temple:
1. When the nation suffered a defeat in war because of sin, if the people repented, hear their prayers, forgive their sin, and reestablish them in Canaan.
2. When the nation suffered a drought because of sin, and they repented and prayed, hear their prayer, forgive their sin, teach them how to live, and send rain.
3. If there was famine, or blight, or mildew, or locusts/grasshoppers, or siege, or any kind of plague, and the nation repented by men and women personally repenting, hear their prayers, forgive the individuals, and help them live in reverence.
4. If a non-Jew came from another country because he had heard of Gods greatness, hear and answer his prayer so all will know You are a great God with a mighty name.
5. If the nation went to battle, hear their prayers and maintain their cause.
6. If Israel went to battle, were defeated, and captives were taken (because of sin), if the captives repented in the land of their captivity and faced toward the temple, God hear their prayers, forgive their sins, may their captors show them compassion, and may You notice their plight.
When Solomon concluded his prayer, on his knees with raised hands before the altar, he pronounced a blessing from God on the nation. The blessing went all the way back to Moses and praised God for His faithfulness in keeping all His promises to Israel. He expressed the desire (a) for all people to realize Gods greatness and (b) that God would maintain the cause of Israel no matter what changes occurred. He urged the nation to be faithful to God.
Solomons prayer and blessing were followed by:
1. A sacrificial dedication of the facilities.
2. Sacrifices of praise to God.
3. Feasting.
4. A fourteen-day celebration
5. The people returning home (on the eighth day) with joy for the goodness God showed to David and to the nation of Israel.
You are asked to consider the significance of the Jewish temple from the moment that temple was consecrated.
1. Note the people who were present.
2. Note the deliberate impressiveness of the eventit was a once in a lifetime occurrence never to be forgotten. Anyone who saw what happened would never forget it. It was truly an I was there! occasion.
3. Note the sacrifices offered. Can you imagine how much wood was required to offer so many sacrifices? Can you imagine how much preparation had to be made for such an event? It did not just happen.
4. Note the scope of Solomons prayer in regard to prayers offered in the direction of the temple. Because of Gods presence in the temple, prayers prayed in faith in God had special significance when facing the temple.
5. Note the reasons Israel as a nation had to be joyful because of Gods acts.
6. Please note that awareness of Gods acts produced joy.
7. Also please note the event focused attention on God. All was possible because of what God did!
Though the temple did not come into being because of Gods command, God accepted it, and was not offended by the temples service. From the moment the Jewish temple was placed into service, it was extremely important. The Jewish temple served a key role in Jewish history, in divine history, and in Christian history.
For Thought and Discussion
1. How long was spent in building the temple? Why could it be called prefabricated?
2. Who was invited to its dedication? Discuss the animal sacrifices and the cloud.
3. How did Solomon begin his address?
4. What prayers did he request God hear when the prayers prayed facing the temple?
5. What two desires did Solomon express?
6. What followed Solomons prayer and blessing?
7. State the things which emphasized the significance of the temple.
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 3