Solomon’s Building Projects

Transcript

GRS 2-90
11/25/2007
Solomon’s Building Projects
1 Kings 4-7
Gil Rugh

We are studying First Kings in our Bible. So come to First Kings Chapter 4, and we come to a section that has great impact on the religious life of Israel, because we are moving into the section were Solomon will construct his temple, a temple of great splendor and beauty.

The kingdom is solidified in Solomon’s hands. He is the third king over Israel; first Saul, then David, and now David’s son Solomon. And as we noted in our previous study, Solomon reigned for 40 years over Israel. The dates of his reign are 970 BC to 930 BC, that gives you an idea where we are time wise. He was the wisest man on earth.

Chapter 3 verse 12, “Behold, I have done according to your words.” God speaks to Solomon, who has asked God for the wisdom to lead his people. Behold I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. So, who is the wisest person, Solomon of course. We think of him for his wisdom. He was also the richest king of his time.

Look at verse 13 of Chapter 3, I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. So, none of the contemporaries of Solomon had wealth and splendor of his kingdom. Chapter 4 is about the prosperity of Solomon’s kingdom. We are going to see a little bit how it was organized, and then some of the facts related to his prosperity.

The first 19 verses, and we are not going to read through all of these, because they have a series of names and so on, but basically it tells you how Solomon organized his kingdom, and he seems to follow the same basic structure as his father David. We won’t go back, but in Second Samuel Chapter 8, verses 16 to 18 second, Samuel Chapter 20 verses 23 to 26, if you wanted to go back and look at those, you will see when David reign similarities in the structure now that Solomon develops, perhaps improves upon with his wisdom.

Verses 2 to 6 tell you, who the chief administrators are in his reign. And then verses 7 to 19 talk about, district governors. Verse 7 says, Solomon had 12 deputies overall Israel, who provided for the king and his household, each man had to provide for a month of the year. And then you have these district governors listed.

So Solomon divided the land into 12 sections, not according to tribes here, neither not the tribal 12 tribes in their divisions, but they were sectioned out according to the providing for the king. So each month provisions would come from one of these districts, if you will. So each man who is in charge of a district had a month that he was responsible to provide provisions for the royal household. So income came if you will to Solomon, and his royal administration.

Verses 20 to 28 talk about Solomon’s wealth and the extent of his kingdom. Verse 20’s Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance; they were eating and drinking and rejoicing. There is a time unlike anything before and really unlike anything after, in Israel.

David had a great reign 40 years also as Solomon will have, but it was a time of warfare, fighting with enemies, solidifying the kingdom, establishing his empire, if you will, his hold on kingdom over Israel. Solomon comes to power and there are no major enemies pressing on Israel. It's a time of prosperity for everyone. So we are told they are reading drinking, rejoicing, the nation is prospering, it's growing. So it is a great time in Israel’s history.

The extent of Solomon’s kingdom verse 21, he ruled over the kingdoms from the River. And the River refers to the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines to the border of Egypt. So we are going from the Euphrates River over to the Mediterranean and down to Egypt in the South. And so has a large extensive territory that he reigns over, and he didn’t have to go to war to take hold of this. And it is a time of; let’s say power vacuum if you will, in empires around. So there is nobody threatening or pressing in on his kingdom.

We saw verse 20, talks about as the prosperity of nation. Look down to verse 24; he had dominion over everything from west to the river to down to Gaza. Gaza, we are familiar with that, even in news today. Overall the kings west of river, he had peace on all sides round about him.

So Judah and Israel lived in safety every man under his vine under his fig tree. And that expression, every man under his vine and his fig tree denotes prosperity, peace. They are not outgoing to war, they are sitting back enjoying the good life. Today we talk about being on our deck with our grill I guess, I don’t know. Here you are talking about sitting under your own vine your own fig tree it gives an idea what this is the condition of the nation. This is the same expression that used to describe conditions in the coming millennium, when Christ rules, every man will be sitting under his own vine under his own fig tree.

Micah Chapter 4 verse 4, the Zechariah Chapter 3 verse 10, both use the same expression to describe what it will be like in the kingdom of the Messiah, those were the time of great prosperity, great peace. They are nothing to do, but enjoy all the blessings that they now have. Solomon’s wealth of course is proverbial, along with his wisdom.

We are told in verse 26 he had 40,000 stalls of horses. Now in light of the parallel Chapter in Second Chronicles Chapter 9 verse 25, remember Second Chronicles that were running a parallel history with Solomon here in this section. In Chapter 9, we are told he had 4,000 stalls and 12,000 horsemen, and that’s probably the correct number, here not 40,000 but 4,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, 12,000 horsemen.

Now interesting certain things go on and some of you mention this to me from time to time, while we have been going through this study. Certain things go on that seem to be a clear violation of what God said, should or should not take place, but nothing is done about it, and there is not rebuke in any way from the Lord about it.

Go back to Deuteronomy Chapter 17; verse 14, When you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you and of course this is still under Moses leadership before they have crossed into the promise land. So we have the days of the judges and all of that before we get to the kingdom, but in anticipation when you enter the land you possess it. The end of verse 14, I will set a king you say, I will set a king over me like the nations who were around me, you shall surely set a king over you when the Lord your God chooses one from among your country men, we can't have a foreigner be king.

Now look verse 16, moreover he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor shall he cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses that would be the natural place to go to get the quality of horses that a king would want. He shall not multiply wives for himself or else his heart will turn away, nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself. You know all these things are going to come to Solomon.

He does multiply horses. He does multiply wives, and God is going to multiply him with the great wealth. Now said he was going to make him wealthy and rich. So in some of this then the multiplying of horses, Solomon is going to get in trouble with his wives, multiple wives and his riches. God does not deal with that as though he is in violation, particularly in the context where we are now, the multiplying of horse, and the multiplying of riches. That just blessings that God has brought on Solomon, and there is no rebuke with Solomon for these things. So God is not displeased with Solomon on this matter as far as we can tell.

The Wisdom of Solomon verse 29, God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind like the sand that is on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom surpasses the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt, and in some of the famous wise men of the day. You know we talk about everybody knows Einstein, and become somewhat of the, you know recognized intellectual somebody like that.

Well here you have, he was wiser than all the man and then you list some of the men. And two of them are particular interest to us, because two of these men wrote Psalm, Psalm 88 and Psalm 89; it starts out the list that he was wiser than all the men than all men.

Then Ethan the Ezrahite; and Ethan the Ezrahite wrote Psalm 89, beautiful Psalm a Messianic portion in that Psalm, of the extensive Psalm, a long Psalm. It takes time to read it. Then you have Heman, and Heman wrote Psalm 88. So he is wise man, and we don’t know that all of them were believers, but at least for sure these two men were and where used of God to write inspired scripture, but the point here is that Solomon is wiser than any of his contemporaries. And he will become famous beyond the bounds of Israel, for his great wisdom.

We are told at the end of verse 31, his fame was known in all of the surrounding nations. He also spoke 3000 proverbs in his songs were 1005. We know the Book of Proverbs, a large portion of which are the collections of Solomon’s proverbs. And he spoke 3000 proverbs or expressions of wisdom. And as you are aware in the Book of Proverbs, they cover a variety of areas and subject to matter. And as we will see here the Solomon’s wisdom is not limited just too biblical subjects, if you will. He is not just the wisest theologian of his day.

Look at verse 33; he spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon and even to the hyssop that grows on the wall. He spoke also of animals and birds and creeping things and fish. Men came from all people to hear the Wisdom of Solomon, from all of the kings of the earth who have heard of his wisdom. I mean you want to come in and let’s talk about trees, he could discourse on trees and the scientific characteristic of the cedar tree or animals, and insight into the very bake up of animals, and so it was just a broad wisdom.

Now of course we are familiar with his wisdom in biblical matters. He writes the proverbs that are part of our inspired scripture. He wrote 1005 songs, the Song of Solomon is one of those songs. He also wrote Psalm 72 and Psalm 127, which would be other of his songs or Psalms. The portions of his wittings are contained as part of our inspired scripture, but his wisdom went beyond that to other matters.

So when God answered his request for wisdom to lead his people, God gives him wisdom of tremendous breadth, encompassing all subjects. So people travel from other nations, kings from other places come to learn from Solomon. So it is a time of splendor in his kingdom. And time when other kings and kingdoms are looking at Israel and Israel’s king was all and come to sit at the feet of Solomon to learn from him.

Now you come to Chapter 5; and we have Solomon’s friendly established his kingdom, during the time, enjoying a time of peace and prosperity. The people are part taking in this prosperity as we saw. Now it is time to do what God said, he would do. Remember God told David; David wanted to build a temple for the Lord. God said, no you are men of blood you have been a man of war, you won’t build the temple, but your son Solomon will build the temple.

So now he is going to turn his attention to building the temple. And of course his wisdom, his riches all come into play here. But his father David has stockpiled an enormous treasury. Now all that would be necessary for the construction of the temple and really the temple. And then in this construction also will see his palace complex are the major accomplishments of Solomon’s reign.

Solomon will reign for 40 years, 20 of those years will be taken up with building the temple, and building the palace complex; 7 years building the temple, 13 years building the palace complex. So, half of his reign will be focused on these two major construction projects. And they become defining characteristics of his reign, major accomplishments.

The temple comes first and it's the most significant. Four Chapters are devoted to these matters, beginning here with Chapter 5 verse 1, now Hiram king of Tyre sent his service to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father for Hiram it always been friend of David.

Then Solomon send word to Hiram saying, you know that David, my father was unable to build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars, which surrounded him, until the Lord put him under the souls, put them under the souls of his feet. So that have been the major accomplishment of David. But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune, behold I intent to build a house for the name of the Lord my God as the Lord spoke to David, my father saying, your son whom I will set on your throne in your place, he will build the house for my name.

First chronicles Chapter 22 verse 11 to 16; Chapters 28, 9 to 21, record the instructions given to David on this matter. We have also seen them even in briefer form in Second Samuel. Solomon is well aware of this; it was God’s intention, God’s instruction that he build the temple. So what Solomon does now, is enter into contract with Hiram and his part of the sovereign plan of God, and his control of all events that Hiram initiate some contact there.

And verse 6, now therefore command and Solomon instructing Hiram, command that they cut for me cedars from Lebanon, and my servants will be with your servants; and I will give you wages for your servants according to all that you say, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians. So he is contracting with the king of Tyre for the provisions of the cedars of Lebanon, region that we are familiar with, that was east of Tyre. And Hiram king of Tyre controlled and ruled over this particular region. Now the cedars of Lebanon highly priced for the beautiful quality of the wood. And so Solomon is going to include this in the construction of the temple.

Verses 7 to 12 you have the covenant that they are going to enter into when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, blessed be the Lord today, who has given to David a wise son over his people. He wonder was this king of Tyre Hiram a believer he had a close friendship with David. He sees Solomon’s intention to fulfill the word of Lord by building the temple, as a good thing and blessed be the Lord, who has given to David a wise son over his great people.

Well interesting person here brought into the picture, and he says I will do what you request. My servants verse 9, will bring the timber down from Lebanon to the sea they will make rafts, they are going to float this down, you carry them in and then you provide food to my household. So verse 10 Hiram gave Solomon as much as he desire of the cedar and the cypress lumber.

Then Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 kors of wheat as food for his household 20 kors of wheat and oil, and this is what Solomon will give to him year by year, so they are friends, but this is a business relationship, a friendly business relationship. But it's not that Hiram is going to give him the lumber. Solomon is going to reimburse him in kind and with what he need.

So verse 12 the Lord gave wisdom to Solomon just as he promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon the two of them made a covenant. So you have this business agreement if you will, solidified. And verses 13 to 18, we are ready to do the building work. Now Solomon is going to use forced labor for this, maybe slave labor would be too strong a word, but there because they are not actually slaves particularly the Israelites involved here.

In verse 13, but it's not their first choice, they didn’t sign up for this job, they are required, 30,000 men. In verse 13, from all Israel forced labors, this is going to become an issue at the end of Solomon’s reign discontent, because doing this work was not easy. I mean Solomon is a wise man. He is a man of wealth, but he is the king, and this temple will be build and then his palace, it will be build the way he indented to be build, it will be done on his schedule.

And so there will be reaction that comes out with the passing of Solomon, as the people complain how hard life could be under him. Now remember it's a time peace and prosperity, but he is enjoying. But there is work to be done and the building of the temple is going to take some strenuous labor. It will involve both Israelites and non Israelites; 30,000 men from all Israel, in verse 13, he sends them to Lebanon; 10,000 a month in relays.

They were Lebanon in a month and two months at home, and the man over, the forced labors. So he have these rotation of 30,000 men 10,000 have to go to Lebanon spend a month there then they get to spend two months back in Israel, and they rotate that way. In addition to those; verse 15, Solomon had 70,000 transporters, who are going to do the work of moving these materials; 80,000 stone cutters, stone has to be cut out, shaped and so on.

I mean anything you start up 70,000 transporters to transport the stuff; 80,000 to cut the stone; 30,000 force labors coming out. I mean you have a lot of people. This is a seven year project, building the temple, and you have these numbers of people involved. The transporters and the hewers of stone, we’re told in Second Chronicles Chapter 2, verses 17 and 18, were drawn from the non Jews in Israel.

So he sort out counted up non Jews living within Israel and they were put to work on these particular tasks. So you had the 30,000 Jewish labors forces labors in verse 13, in the non Jews for these other tasks. And this is besides the 3300 verse 16, chief deputies who were over the project ruled over the people doing the work. Verse 17, the king commanded they quarried great stones, costly stones to lay the foundation of the house with cut stones. Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the Gebalites cut them, prepared the timbers, the stones to build the house.

So they have a tremendous project underway and it's under the ultimate oversight of the wisest men on earth. So he knows what needs to be done, how it needs to be done, he has a wisdom and an insight. So that no one else on earth would have. So you know in Chapter 6 you have the building of the temple. Verse 1 is a major verse in Old Testament Chronology we read it and it seems simple. It came about in the 480th year after the sons of Israel came out from the land of Egypt in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel in the month Ziv, which is the second month that he began to build the house of the Lord.

This verse enables us to date precisely the date of the Exodus from Egypt, because we can date Solomon’s reign. Remember we said he reigned from 970 to 930 BC. Now, here we are told he began construction of the temple in the fourth year of his reign, and that was 480 years after Israel came out of the land of Egypt. So all you have to do is go to the fourth year of his reign and go back 480 years.

So if he began reigning in 970 the fourth year of his reign will be 966. And then the Exodus was 480 years earlier, you come back to 1445, 1446 depending on whether you have the inclusive method of reckoning and including the year you are counting or not. So you will see the two dates 1445 or 1446 BC. So this verse becomes a very important verse in the dating of the Exodus, and knowing just when did the Exodus occur precisely when we come to this verse to establish it with that certainty.

Very important in the chronology because now we know when the Exodus from Egypt occur, because we know the dates of Solomon’s reign and we can work back from this verse. You have the layout of the temple in verse 2, and basically the layout of the temple that’s going to be constructed follows the same pattern as the Tabernacle, but it's exactly twice as large.

So here the Tabernacle, you are just going to double it for the temple. And the temple is not going to be a huge structure; temple itself; its 90 feet long, 30 feet wide and 45 feet high. So the footprint of it 90 feet by 30 feet, that’s 2700 feet. I mean think of our one story home or ranch style home, 2700 feet it's a large ranch home, but it's not a mansion. You know average size home I think now, is over 2000 square feet. So we now think of the temple sprawling out, I mean we have over 100,000 square feet in our facilities that we have.

The temple is not a huge structure, temple proper that we are talking about here is 2700 square feet, 90 feet by 30 feet, and then it is 45 feet high. So the floor space of the temple itself is not a huge structure. You have though somewhat of it's a lay out here. And some of you have study Bible you use and the study Bibles you are using probably have a lay out of the temple in this section, and you get an idea.

We have some color renderings and three dimensional renderings artistic descriptions that available in the book store. And you can go to some other resources and you will see pictures of it that help fix it in your mind. So that just that flat lay out and that you might see in your study Bible or in a Bible encyclopedia. But if you look at some of the renderings that have been done, you get an idea of what the temple may have looked at, and the things associated with the temple that are going to be described here the windows go around it and so on.

Interesting point down in verse 7, how Solomon did this. The house well was being build was build of stone prepared at the quarry. There was neither a hammer nor axe or any iron tool heard in the house while it was being built. In other words all of it was done, we are going to say its prefab that sounds, you know like we don’t want to prefab temple. But basically that’s what happens.

The temple is, all the work is done at the quarry. When they come to construct it, it’s all been done so precise, there is no hammering, there is chiseling, there is no making it fit. When you get to the temple site, Solomon didn’t want all that racked going on where the temple is being constructed.

So it all had to be done outside, now when they come they just put it together. And they do that in some of our construction we are aware of, today to maybe a limited degree, sometimes log homes. When we were traveling we will buy a site where they go log homes and what they were doing; one site is they were the building the homes, then they take it all apart and they take it to the place. Some of these can be quite elaborate and expensive in the way these are done.

So that’s basically the temples done here. Solomon didn’t want the noise of construction going on. So all you have to do when it comes as fit at the place, an idea of the quality of work that’s being done here. I mean you don’t want the king to hear you hammering away and chiseling away. So what happens, well we had a couple of blocks here that didn’t fit. You don’t want to upset the king.

So everything has to be done right. Now when it comes to the site, there is no need for hammering and chiseling to be done. One commentator noted that, said the stone was white lime stone famous for its beauty. And interestingly put exposed to intense heat it would be reduced to powder, really. It came, it was become to lime when it was exposed to intense heat.

And so when the temple would have been burned much of it would have been reduced to lime, it would burn down to powders just like the wood burn. And so and you have the ultimate destruction of the temple; there would have been a great destruction. Verses 11 and following, the word of Lord comes to Solomon. Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon saying, concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and executive my ordinances and keep all my commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out my word with you which I spoke to David your father, I will dwell among the sons of Israel, I will not and will not forsake my people Israel.

This is the prophet who comes; this is not a direct word to Solomon. Back in Chapter 3 God spoke directly to Solomon in a dream. In Chapter 9 verse 2, God will speak were told a second time directly to Solomon. So since in Chapter 9, we were told that is the second time. Chapter 3 being the first time God speaks directly without intermediary to Solomon. We know that here it would have been a prophet who came and spoke to Solomon on this occasion. But nonetheless it is the word of the Lord. He reiterates the promise made to David in the Davidic Covenant.

Turn back to second Samuel Chapter 7 Davidic Covenant of course is major covenant here for the establishing of the Davidic throne. Second Samuel Chapter 7; God promised that verse 11; the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you, when your days are complete you lie down with your father I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth you I will establish his kingdom.

He shall build a house for my name, I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever, I will be a father to him he will be a son to me. When he commits inequity I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but my loving kindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from soul. So here you see, we will see them requirement for obedience, but even disobedience won’t results in the rejection of the Davidic line like it did of soul’s line.

We may wonder well why, because that’s the way God decided it would be. Now we might say well that’s not fair, soul does not have a line in the kingly line, the line is not the line of Benjamin, the tribe of Benjamin in the tribe of Judah, soul’s sin he is rejected he is dissentience are rejected from the throne. David now has established obedience is necessary for blessing, but disobedience will not result in the end of the Davidic line.

And that is what is problem, when he commits inequity verse 14, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but my loving kindness shall not depart from him as I took it away from soul, whom I have removed from before you. Your house, your kingdom will shall endure for me before for me forever. Your throne shall be established forever.

Now when you come back to First Kings, and you can stop the Chapter 3 in First Kings Chapter 2, I am sorry verse 3, David tells Solomon, I am going the way of all the earth, be strong, show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lords your God to walk in his ways to keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, his testimonies, according to what is written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in all you do wherever you turn, so that the LORD may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons are careful to walk their way of 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.

You come to Chapter 3 verse 14, if you walk in my ways keeping my statutes commandments as your father David walk, then I will prolong your days. When understand these conditions in light of the original Davidic Covenant they with David, that disobedience will bring a break in the blessings and bring the chasing of the Lord. It will not annul the promises.

Now that’s important. It guarantees to permanency of God’s promises to the line of David. It’s crucial, we will read these later conditions here, as we are reading it now and saying well, then if Solomon is not obedient then the line, the promises will be over no, judgment will come discipline will come, but the promises to the line of David are permanent and irrevocable.

Okay back in Chapter 6, verse 14 down to verses 14 to 38, we are not going to read all these verses, as they go through a description, but I’d encourage you to read them this is a splendid temple, no expense is spared in the construction of the temple. It is a magnificent structure done with the best craftsmanship, only the best. Everything over laid with gold. This is by God’s favor or for it's not going to be God in anyway, it is going to have a magnificent beauty, you can expect that Solomon with all his wisdom discerned between what we would call godly.

And in that sense it becomes repulsive and what is overwhelming in its beauty and splendor, then of course he is following the instructions of the Lord in the construction of the temple. Though he had nothing, but the best would be acceptable and what is to be the focal point of God’s presence in the nation and the center of the worship of the Lord.

The walls the floor the walls they are made of stone, then the stones are covered with cedar wood. And then the cedar is over laid with gold. Now when you look at verse 16, we just picked out the verses, he build 20 cubits on the rear of the house with the boards of cedar from the floor to the sealing. He builds it for them on the inside as an inner sanctuary as the most holy place.

Down to verse 21, Solomon over laid the inside of the house with pure gold and you see builds the stone up then you cover it with cedar then you cover the beautiful cedar with gold. He drew chains of gold across the front of the inner sanctuary, he overlaid it with gold, he overlaid the whole house with gold and fills the house, all the house was finished, and the altar is overlaid with gold.

Now down to verse 29, he carved all the walls of the house roundabout with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, inner and outer sanctuaries, he overlaid the floor of the house with gold inner and outer sanctuaries in do the holy of holies and the outer place as well. Now verse 32, he made two doors of all of wood, he carved on them carvings of cherubim, palm trees, open flowers overlaid them with pure gold. He spread the gold on the cherubim, on the palm trees.

Verse 35; he carved on a cherubim palm trees open flowers; he overlaid them with gold evenly applied on the engraved work. So you have all the carving and so on in the wood and then you have this beaten gold, put over them, so it perfectly. I mean you have to have the most skilled craftsman of the day, doing this beautiful work, and down to the minutest detail, the beauty and of course the splendor, and no expense faired.

I mean everything here is covered with gold, even the floor, because this is the center of God’s presence on earth and more particularly in the nation Israel. There is no place in the world the God’s presence is centered, but here in this temple. So it is a place of magnificent. It's a place of beauty and splendor. Verse 38 the end of the verse, he was 7 years in building the temple.

So with all these craftsman, couple of 100,000 men at work 7 years, I mean we can't tell how much work went into it, and we are not talking about something that was overwhelming in size, but to gather all these materials. And remember David had stockpiled much of the materials, but then you have to get the stone cut and the timber brought gold and silver, bronze and so on had been stockpiled by David in huge quantities, but all the workmanship needed to be done.

Now Chapter 7 the first part of the Chapter; first 12 verses talk about the building of Solomon’s palace complex, then we will go back to the temple. Interestingly it took seven years to build the temple it took 13 years to build Solomon’s palace complex. Now Solomon’s complex has palace complex would be much larger than the temple, and that’s not a mistake it's not that Solomon eared that God gave the instructions for the temple and its size and dimensions and everything.

Naturally the palace complex would be larger and would serve many more functions than the temple, which whose functions are focused on the worship of the nation. You imagine Solomon’s palace complex is going to be very splendor. David had to build a palace for himself, but Solomon now was going to build the palace of palaces. Solomon was building his own house 13 years and he finished all his house.

He built the house with the forest of Lebanon and then the dimensions of his house and how it's constructed are all set out. This complex this palace complex is in the same courtyard of the veil part of the temple complex; in that there built in the same in closure if you will, draws attention to the fact that the king is God’s representative, and he was to represent God, act as God’s representative mediator if you will, in administering God’s will for God’s people.

It's a splendid temple, when again you can read through it. And he builds also a house in this for Pharaoh’s daughter verse 8, that he had married, remember in a political alliance, which would have been splendid palace for her, if you will. And uses costly stone verse 9, stone cutting according to measure, everything has to be just right, the foundation up of, everything of costly materials.

Then in verse 13 and following, you are back to the temple and things being done for the temple. Hiram is brought into the picture and that’s really, the rest of the chapter basically talks about this craftsmanship done. He is an exceptionally skilled craftsman and he comes from Tyre. Now Hiram and I think well Hiram wasn’t either king of Tyre. This is a different Hiram. And in Second Chronicles Chapter 2 verses 11 to 14, parallel section more of his lineage is set out and he is tied to the tribe of Dan and Naphtali, those tribes.

So and he distinguishes from the king of Tyre there. So you can read that and there you will have hyphenated names and you will see the hyphen distinguishes him from the king of Tyre. The Hiram who was King of Tyre there, there he will be called Huram, H-U-R-A-M as the king of Tyre is. So don’t get confusion say now you telling me the king of Tyre was a master craftsman no, it just happens here this portion we have man of the same name from the same region, he was widow son from the tribe of Naphtali and man of Tyre.

And so you see the connection to the tribe here in Israel and over in Chronicles you will be associated with Dan as well. We are going to all those details. He is a master craftsman and works with bronze. And so he is going to fashion two pillars of bronze, and these pillars were 27 feet high that cubit running about 18 inches of measurement on the arm the elbow down to the palm, about 18 inches. So they are going to be 27 feet high 18 feet around, each of these pillars. And then they are going to have capitals on the top of them, which will bring them up to a total of 34 feet high.

Now these are tremendous pillars, there will be two of them. There will be freestanding. So as you come into the temple itself as you come into the inner courtyard you come to the bronze altar and then you will confront these two pillars beyond the bronze altar, and before you enter in to the temple itself you have these two huge standing pillars with these ornate capitals on the top of them standing a total of 34 feet high 18 feet around each of them.

So you are at the entrance of the temple proper here. They are name for us, down in verse 21, he set the pillars at the porch of the nave, he set the right up the right pillar named it Jachin, which mean he establishes, and then he names the other pillar Boaz, which means in God or in him his strength. So it's a reminder every time the people come to the temple and enter into this courtyard that it was God who established Israel. It's God who has the strength of Israel, there is something of visual impact you stand before these awesome pillars, and you will reminded that God has established the nation Israel.

God is the strength of the nation Israel. So a visual reminder some of these things carried out, because in those days every one didn’t get the privilege of having, you know a nice black covered leather covered addition of the word of God to constantly go to, so you have these visual portrayals also for the benefit of the nation.

Verses 23 to 26 described the bronze sea as its known. It's a huge bronze basin that holds over 11,000 gallons of water. It's held up by 12 sculptured bulls and you need to get a picture of this, see something of its splendor but these bulls on the backs of the bulls these carved bulls you have this huge basin. The basin was for the ceremonial washing of the priest that was a laver in the Tabernacle that’s where the priest clean themselves reminder that those who would approach in the service of the Lord had to be cleansed, had to be clean.

And so this laver was for the washing of the priests to remind them they need to be free from the defilements of the world as they come into the presence of Lord and his service. Verses 27 to 39 there is ten bronze basins and they are in the inner courtyard, but outside the temple itself. And five down each side; these are used for washing to burnt offerings, and ceremonial cleansing of them as well.

Second Chronicles Chapter 4 verse 6 talks about that, each of these ten bronze basins would hold 230 gallons proximately. So you can see that bronze sea over laver on the back of the bulls it holds over a 11000 gallons, and then you have the smaller basins five down each side of the temple, where you will be used for cleansing offerings, they told 230 gallons, idea of that the service of the temple is going to be a major operation, that will be the responsibility of Levites as you are aware.

Verses 40 to 47 give you a summary of Hiram’s work. Verses 48 to 50 talk about the furniture of the temple. Then again it's all splendid all gold. Then verse 51 that’s all the work the king Solomon performed in the house of the Lord was finished. Solomon brought in the things dedicated by his father David. The silver the gold the utensils put them in the treasuries of the house of the Lord.

And we will stop there, we will get to Chapter 8, you have the Ark then brought to the temple and splendid seem, there is the temples dedicated, but we will stop at this point. Let me just remind you a few things that come out and drawn out of these chapters. In Chapter 4 the first 19 verses, you see the planning of Solomon for his kingdom and, you know there is a balance, we realize the organization and planning are not contrary to God’s will, they have in important place in the work of God, here is Solomon the wisest man whoever lived, he is God’s anointed king, what does that mean, we just do things by deceit of our parents, you know just take as it comes there is careful structure and organization here.

Now that done and it dependence on that apart from the Lord is wrong, but to be organized and to plan and to have structure then mean we have the excluded the spirits. Sometimes the church gets the idea when you know where too formal, we have too much organization, and we have too much structure. But that’s not contrary to the will of the Lord, it’s part of what he has ordained for us in all areas of lives.

So here that comes out in Solomon’s rule and reign because he is God’s anointed him king. he has more wisdom than anyone in the phase of the earth that doesn’t mean that you just does it as it comes, how they uses that, the plan to organize the structure his kingdom and so on.

You know the wisdom and peace that come in Solomon’s reign, now it is prosperity to come with the wisdom with the peace; they are all gifts from God. In Chapter 4 verses 20, through the rest of the Chapter. Turn back to Deuteronomy Chapter 8, we talk about the providence of God and his control of all things, and you know as you look at it from a human perspective and someone standing outside, even unbelievers the other kings of the earth will be, Solomon might just seem like things have come together, and it's just worked out, but God had solemnly work these things out.

In Deuteronomy Chapter 8, again we are back as God prepares the nation under Moses to enter the land and what will take place. Jump down to verse 11 of Chapter 8, beware that you do not forget the Lords your God and this is when you have entered into the land verse 10, you have eaten you are satisfied you bless the Lord your God for the good land which he has given to you, beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments his ordinances, his statutes which I am commanding you today. Otherwise when you have eaten and are satisfied and build good houses and lived in them, when your herds and your flocks multiply, your silver and gold multiply, all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God who have brought you out from the land of Egypt out of the house of slavery.

He led you through the terrible great and terrible wilderness fiery serpents, scorpions all of that, in the wilderness he fed you with manner. Verse 17, otherwise you may say in your heart, my power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth. You shall remember the Lord is your God for it is he who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant # the Lord. The enemies have defeated, that is not because David was such a great warrior, it's got because God is such a great God.

And he used David to defeat the enemies. It's not because Solomon is such a wise man, but Solomon have such a great God who has given him great wisdom. And that people of the nation are enjoying prosperity now, because God is such a gracious God and has given them the ability to prosper, given them good things to enjoy, and always a difficulty for us to be faithful to the Lord in our prosperity.

And we as shared with you they have done studies around the world and how the church gets weaker as it becomes more prosperous, because somehow we get caught up with our prosperity and we forget the Lord. So it's not just Israel, it's a reminder that wisdom peace prosperity all these good things come from the Lord.

Back in Kings, a third point that I have is there is a place for wise dealings and wise business dealings even in the work of the Lord. I don’t want to spiritualize these thing, but the fact of the matter, when Solomon going to undertake the work that God has called him to do he has no problem, you know utilizing the resources, that can be made available.

So he enters into a contract with the king of Tyre. Well, we don’t need the king of Tyre, we do all of this on our own. Well the cedars of Lebanon we would need that and we utilized those as resources available to us. Solomon’s wisdom he enters into good business dealings here. I mean that just part of what he is doing, don’t want to carry that’s beyond what scripture does, but the same token you know a believer in trusting Lord just doesn’t mean I just close myself and I don’t function with wisdom.

And some of the proverbs of the Book of Proverbs Solomon address these things. These are like observing the hands in his industriousness and learning from him. They are just basic things that God would have us implement in our lives and conduct. Chapter 6, I am glad to become a health and wealth preacher, well be careful, nothing is too good for our God.

So we ought to be building a church that’s covered with gold. This isn’t the temple, but it is a reminder to us. This was a wasted, this wasn’t godly, and this wasn’t gone overboard. There is a reminder in our worship with the Lord and in all of our dealing with the Lord. And we will be careful that, it's not just good enough for him. We will say well that was Israel, but you’re understand where we are going.

And in the glory and splendor that will characterize the earthly reign of Christ in the temple there and the New Jerusalem and that there is a glory associated with Lord. I want to be careful. I don’t like caring that the saying, well if we don’t have the richest things and the most expensive, that’s not we are talking about. But you know there is a danger, we swing to the other side and we think, you know anything is good enough. Worship with the Lord and going to a picnic what’s the difference.

And there is something to be said about the proper reference and recognition that he is our God. And you know and what we do in our honoring him they are ought to be a recognition and that permeates my life. You know we come together; just not the same thing is going on a picnic. I mean the worship of the Lord is splendid; it's accompanied with splendor and beauty. And we will be in heaven it will be in the kingdom, it wasn’t Israel.

Now the danger is that it ceases to be an activity of the heart and it becomes the matter of the externals that was not acceptable in Israel. They had to come with circumcised heart; otherwise everything else was rejected by God. And we worship him in spirit and in truth, and we are not constructing a temple with the building of our building. So I am not saying we ought to have a elaborate building. But by the same token I want to be careful that I understand my worship and in my service for the Lord, and in my giving to him. I want to honor him with the best that I have and best I can do, nothing can replace obedience.

Chapter 6 verse 12 and 13, all the details are important in our service to the Lord down to for Solomon, what it would have been if his attitude have been, we are building the temple, but that’s alright, it's just a building. Ad we wanted to be nice, but you know all the details are important. I want to be concerned about that. The worship of our God is a splendid thing, think about it. We enter the courts of heaven. We come before his throne. We have confidence it's a throne of grace, but I come before the throne of the Lord of glory, not just in our corporate worship, but I am privileged to do that, I ought never to lose the sins of all and splendor and wonder that should bring to my heart and mind, as a servant and worshiper of the living God.

Let’s pray. Thank you Lord, for this account of your servant Solomon all the wisdom, all the splendor, all the prosperity that you brought upon him and his kingdom; upon your people Israel. What a good and gracious God you are, Lord you have blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. Every good and perfect gift comes down from you. Lord we would offer you our worship, our adoration.

Lord we would only be satisfied to give you the best that we have. The best of our ability, the best of our efforts, and the best of what we have in every area of life. We are privileged to serve the living God, the only God, and the God who is our heavenly father. There are services for you in the days of this week that our jobs in our homes and all of our activities, be conducted in light of who you are, that you might be honored. We pray in Christ’s name, amen.