Day 62 Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 5- 9

1 Kings 5: Preparation for the Construction of the Temple

[Summary]

This chapter records that Solomon made all preparations to build the Temple of Jerusalem, which can be considered the greatest achievement in the history of Israel. Thus, up to chapter 8, the construction of the temple is described in detail. This chapter describes the scene where Solomon asks Hiram for help (verse 1), the scene where Hiram accepts and makes a pact (verses 7-12), and the scene where the preliminary preparations are finally completed through well-organized labor organization and management (verses 13-18). From the above, we can see that Hiram, although a foreigner, actively assisted Solomon in the construction of the temple. In other words, Hiram willingly provided Solomon with the cedar and cypress trees needed for the construction of the temple, as well as skilled workers. Therefore, we can see that the temple was built through the cooperation of Israelites and foreigners. This fact exemplifies the important gospel truth that God, the owner of the temple, is the God of not only Israel but also the Gentiles.  [Kang Hae]

Solomon's wise rule brought peace and prosperity to the kingdom. So he began to prepare in earnest for the construction of the temple. At this time, a foreign nation appeared to help Solomon, and it was the city-state of Tyre, one of the major cities of Phoenicia. 

1 Kings 6: Completion of the Temple Construction

[Summary]

This chapter records that in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, 480 years after the Exodus, Israel finally began the construction of the historical temple. Of course, even before the construction of the temple, there was a place where the Israelites could express God's presence. However, unlike the tabernacle during the time of wandering in the wilderness, Solomon's temple was erected as an immovable building symbolizing that Israel had now firmly established its roots in the promised land of Canaan.  This chapter describes the beginning of the construction of the temple (verses 1-10), God’s promise (verses 11-13), the decoration of the temple interior (verses 14-22), the group of the temple’s inner chamber (verses 23-28), the gates of the temple (verses 29-36), and the construction of the temple (verses 37-38). 

[Explanation] 

After completing all preparations for the construction of the temple, Solomon finally began the construction of the temple, which was completed in seven years. This temple was not a large building, but it was a majestic and magnificent building, and Solomon’s sincerity was full of it, making it splendid. 

1 Kings 7: Solomon’s Palace and the Temple Equipment 

[Overview] 

This chapter describes the construction of Solomon’s palace and the production of the temple equipment. First, the construction of Solomon’s palace is recorded (verses 1-12), and the invitation of the craftsman Hiram is recorded (verses 13-14).  And it also records the making of the temple pillars (vv. 15-22), the making of the bronze sea (vv. 23-26), the making of the laver and its stand (vv. 27-39), the completed bronze utensils (vv. 40-47), and the completed gold utensils (vv. 48-51). It took 7 years to build the temple, 13 years to build the palace, and 13 years to make the temple utensils in between, so Solomon's construction project was a grand history that took a total of 20 years. Meanwhile, what should be kept in mind in this chapter is that Solomon's palace, when viewed as a whole, has the nature of being an appendage to God's temple. In other words, while the temple is the glorious seat of God who rules over the entire universe, Solomon's palace has a relative significance as the place where the king of Israel, who was entrusted with the right to rule by God, resides. Therefore, the writer of this book devoted only twelve verses to recording Solomon's palace, even though it was larger and took longer to build than the temple.  [King's Commentary]

Solomon, who had built the temple, now turned his attention to the palace where he would reside. So Solomon built the palace over a period of 13 years. This was because the palace was so large that it took longer than the temple to be built. Solomon also made the necessary utensils for the temple.

1 Kings 8: Solomon's Dedication of the Temple

[Summary]

This chapter describes in detail the dedication ceremony offered at the dedication of the temple. This dedication ceremony was a national event, so the attention of all Israel was focused on the courtyard in front of the temple where the dedication ceremony was held. If we divide this chapter by its content, it records Solomon bringing the Ark of the Covenant from the old tabernacle to the temple (verses 1-11), and Solomon's dedication speech, which corresponds to the first part of the dedication ceremony (verses 12-21).  And Solomon’s intercessory prayers regarding the various situations that Israel would experience (verses 22-53), Solomon’s blessings for the people of Israel (verses 54-61), and finally the peace offerings offered by the king and the people together (verses 62-66) are recorded. As mentioned above, the dedication ceremony of the temple was held grandly with the participation and celebration of all Israel, from Solomon above to the common people of the rural villages below. This means that all the people were now truly united as God’s people before God, centered around the temple. 

[Explanation]

The text contains the content of the temple, which was completed over a long period of time, being concluded through the dedication ceremony of the temple. The temple is the center of the faith of the people of Israel and also the place of God’s gracious manifestation. Completing this temple and placing the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolizes God’s presence, there is an indescribable glory and blessing. 

 1 Kings 9: Covenant with Solomon

[Summary]

Following the dedication ceremony of the temple on the battlefield, this chapter records God’s response to Solomon’s prayer. Solomon’s other construction and trade activities are also mentioned in fragments. Since military structures and fortresses are less important to the author of this book, the records of them are treated as a kind of appendix. This chapter records God’s response to Solomon’s prayer (vv. 1-9), Solomon and Hiram’s trade (vv. 10-14), Solomon’s building projects (vv. 15-24), and Solomon’s trade (vv. 25-28). The central theme of this chapter is God’s response to Solomon’s prayer and reaffirmation of the covenant.

[Explanation]

God immediately answered Solomon’s prayer. God demanded that Solomon and the people of Israel obey His words. He also warned that obedience would result in blessings, but that disobedience would result in punishment.