I Kings 8
Feast of Boothsverses 1-2
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel
and all the heads of the tribes
the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel
to king Solomon in Jerusalem
that they might bring up the ark of the
covenant of the LORD out of the city of David
which is Zion
And all the men of Israel assembled themselves
to king Solomon at the feast in
the month Ethanim – which is the seventh month
Priests carry Ark of the Covenantverses 3-5
And all the elders of Israel came – and the priests took up the ark
and they brought up the ark of the LORD
and the tabernacle of the congregation
and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle
even those did the priests and the Levities bring up
And king Solomon – and all the congregation of Israel
that were assembled to him – were with him before the ark
sacrificing sheep and oxen
that could not be told nor numbered for multitude
Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holiesverses 6-9
And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD
to HIS place into the oracle of the house
to the most holy place
even under the wings of the cherubim
for the cherubim spread forth their two wings
over the place of the ark
and they cherubim covered
the ark and the staves thereof above
And they drew out the staves
that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place
before the oracle- and they were not seen without
and there they are to this day
There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone
which Moses put there at Horeb
when the LORD made a covenant
with the children of Israel
when they came out of the land of Egypt
Glory of the LORD fills the Templeverses 10-11
And it came to past – when the priests were come out of the holy place
that the CLOUD filled the house of the LORD
so that the priests could not stand to minister because of
the CLOUD – for the GLORY of the LORD had
filled the house of the LORD
Solomon speaks to the LORD about HIS presenceverses 12-13
Then spoke Solomon
the LORD said that HE would dwell in the thick darkness
I have surely built YOU an house to dwell in
a settled place for YOU to abide in for ever
Solomon repeats LORD’S words to Davidverses 14-16
And the king turned his face about
and blessed all the congregation of Israel
and all the congregation of Israel stood
And he
said
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel
which spoke with HIS mouth to David my father
and has with HIS hand fulfilled it – saying
Since the day that I brought forth MY people
Israel out of Egypt
I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house
that MY name might be therein
BUT I chose David to be over MY people Israel
Solomon tells of the LORD’S promise to Davidverses 17-19
And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house
for the name of the LORD God of Israel
And the LORD
said to David my father
Whereas it was in yours to build an house unto MY name
you did well that it was in your heart
Nevertheless you shall not build the house
but your son that shall come forth out of your loins
he shall build the house unto MY name
Promise fulfilled in Solomonverses 20-21
And the LORD has performed HIS word that HE spoke
and I am risen up in the room of David my father
and sit on the throne of Israel – as the LORD promised
and have built an house for the name of the
LORD God of Israel
and I have set there a place for the ark
wherein is the covenant of the LORD
which HE made with our fathers
when HE brought them out of the land of Egypt
Solomon prays his prayer to the LORDverse 22
And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD
in the presence of all the congregation of Israel
and spread forth his hands toward heaven
Prayer: Praises LORD for keeping HIS promisesverses 23-24
And he
said
LORD God of Israel – there is NO God LIKE YOU
in heaven above – or on the earth beneath
WHO keeps covenant and mercy with your servants that
WALK before YOU with all their heart
WHO has kept with YOUR servant David
my father that YOU promised him
YOU spoke also with YOUR mouth
and have fulfilled it with YOUR hand
as it is this day
Prayer: Fulfill future promises LORDverses 25-26
Therefore now – LORD God of Israel
keep with YOUR servant David my father
that YOU promised him
saying
There shall not fail you a man in MY sight to sit on the
throne of Israel
So that your children take heed to their way
that they WALK before ME as you have WALKED
before ME
And now O God of Israel – let YOUR word – I pray YOU
be verified – which YOU spoke unto YOUR servant
David my father
Prayer: LORD hear prayers given toward the Templeverses 27-30
BUT will God indeed dwell on the earth?
BEHOLD – the heaven and heaven of heavens
cannot contain YOU
HOW much less this house that I have builded?
YET have YOU respect to the prayer of YOUR servant
and to his supplication O LORD my God
to hearken to the cry and to the prayer
which YOUR servant prays before YOU today
That YOUR eyes may be open toward this house night and day
even toward the place of which YOU have said
MY name shall be there
that you may hearken unto the prayer
which your servant shall make toward
this place
And hearken YOU to the supplications of YOUR servant
and of YOUR people Israel
when they shall PRAY toward this place
and hear YOU in heaven YOUR dwelling place
and when YOU hear – FORGIVE
Prayer: Acquit the innocentverses 31-32
IF any man trespass against his neighbor
and an oath be laid on his to cause him to swear
and the oath come before YOUR altar in this house
THEN hear YOU in heaven – and do – and judge YOUR servants
condemning the wicked – to bring his way upon his head
and justifying the righteous
to give him according to his righteousness
Prayer: Forgive sin of your peopleverses 33-34
When YOUR people Israel be smitten down before the enemy
BECAUSE they have sinned against YOU
and shall TURN again to YOU
and CONFESS YOUR name and PRAY
and make supplication to YOU in this house
THEN hear YOU in heaven
and FORGIVE the sin of YOUR people Israel
and bring them again unto the land
which YOU gave to their fathers
Prayer: Rain after confession of sinverses 35-36
When heaven is shut up – and there is no rain
BECAUSE they have sinned against YOU
IF they PRAY toward this place – and CONFESS YOUR name
and TURN from their sin- when YOU afflict them
THEN hear YOU in heaven – and FORGIVE the sin of YOUR servants
and of YOUR people Israel – that YOU teach them the good way
wherein they should WALK and give rain upon YOUR land
which YOU have given to YOUR people for
an inheritance
Prayer: End famine because of confession of sinverses 37-40
IF there be in the land famine – IF there be pestilence – blasting
mildew – locust or IF there be caterpillar
IF their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities
whatsoever plague – whatsoever sickness there be
What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man
or by all your people Israel
which shall know every man the plague of his own heart
and spread forth his hands toward this house
THEN hear YOU in heaven YOUR dwelling place
and FORGIVE – and do and give to every man
according to his ways – whose heart YOU know
(for YOU– even YOU only
knows the hearts of all the children of men)
that they may FEAR YOU all the days
that they live in the land which
YOU gave unto our fathers
Prayer: Hear the prayers of foreignerverses 41-43
Moreover concerning a stranger – that is not of YOUR people Israel
BUT comes out of a far country for YOUR name’s sake
(for they shall hear of YOUR great name and of YOUR strong hand
and of YOUR stretched out arm)
when he shall come and PRAY toward this house
HEAR YOU in heaven YOUR dwelling place
and do according to al that the stranger calls to YOU
for
that ALL PEOPLE of the EARTH may know YOUR name
to FEAR YOU – as do YOUR people Israel
that they may know that this house
which I have builded
is called by YOUR name
Prayer: Hear Israelites in battleverses 44-45
IF YOUR people go out to battle against their enemy
whithersoever YOU shall send them
and shall PRAY to the LORD
toward the city which YOU have CHOSEN
and toward the house that I have built for
YOUR name
THEN hear YOU in heaven their PRAYER and their supplication
and MAINTAIN their cause
Prayer: If Israel is in captivity and repent – hearverses 46-53
IF they sin against YOU (for there is no man that sins not)
and YOU be angry with them
and deliver them to the enemy
so that they carry them away captives to
the land of the enemy far or near
YET IF they shall bethink themselves in the land whither
they were carried captives – and REPENT
and make supplication to YOU
in the land of them that
carried them captives
saying
We have sinned – and have done perversely
we have committed wickedness
And so RETURN to YOU with all their heart – with all their soul
in the land of their enemies – which led them away captive
and PRAY to YOU toward their land
which YOU gave to their fathers
the city which YOU hast CHOSEN
the house which I have
built for YOUR name
THEN hear YOU their PRAYER and their supplication in heaven YOUR
dwelling place – and MAINTAIN their cause
and FORGIVE THY people that have sinned against YOU
and all their transgressions wherein they
have transgressed against YOU
and GIVE them compassion before them who
carried them captive
that they may have compassion on them
FOR they be YOUR people and YOUR inheritance
which YOU brought forth out of Egypt
from the midst of the FURNACE of IRON
that YOUR eyes may be open
to the supplication of YOUR servant
and to the supplication of YOUR people Israel
to hearken to them in all that they CALL
for to YOU
FOR YOU did separate them from among all the people of the earth
to be YOUR inheritance
as YOU spoke by the hand of Moses YOUR servant
when YOU brought our fathers out of Egypt
O Lord GOD
Solomon blesses the children of Israelverse 54
And it was so – that when Solomon had made
an end of PRAYING all this PRAYER and SUPPLICATION
to the LORD
He arose from before the altar of the LORD
from KNEELING on his knees with his hands spread up
to heaven
Solomon’s blessingverses 55-61
And he stood – and blessed all the congregation of Israel
with a loud voice saying
Blessed be the LORD – that has given rest to HIS people Israel
according to all that HE promised
there has not failed ONE WORD
of all HIS good promise
which HE promised
by the hand of Moses
HIS servant
The LORD our God be with us – as HE was with our fathers
let HIM not LEAVE us – nor FORSAKE us
that HE may incline our hearts unto HIM
to WALK in all HIS ways
to KEEP HIS commandments – statutes
judgments which HE commanded
our fathers
let these my words wherewith I have made supplication
before the LORD
be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night
that HE maintain the cause of HIS servants
the cause of HIS people Israel at
all times
as the matter shall require
that all the people of the earth may know
that the LORD is God
and there is NONE else
let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God
to WALK in HIS statutes
to KEEP HIS commandments – as at this day
Sacrifices of Solomon to the LORDverses 62-63
And the king – and all Israel with him
offered sacrifice before the LORD
And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings
which he offered unto the LORD
two and twenty thousand oxen
a hundred and twenty thousand sheep
So the king and all the children of Israel
DEDICATED the house of the LORD
Solomon offers sacrifices for the courtyard of Templeverse 64
The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court
that was before the house of the LORD
for there he offered burnt offerings – and meat offerings
and the fat of the peace offerings
BECAUSE the brazen altar that was before the LORD
was too little to receive the burnt offerings – and meat offerings
and the fat of the peace offerings
Fourteen days of celebrationverses 65-66
And at that time Solomon held a feast – and all Israel with him
a great congregation from the entering in of Hamath
to the river of Egypt before the LORD our God
seven days and seven nights
even fourteen days
On the eighth day he sent the people away
and they blessed the king
and went unto their tent joyful and glad
of heart for all the goodness that the LORD
had done for David HIS servant
and for Israel HIS people
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 6 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to HIS place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims (1687 “oracle” [dabiyr] means holy of holies, the innermost room of the temple, the inmost recess, adytum, or rear room of a temple)
DEVOTION: Any time we serve the LORD HE expects us to do things decently and in order. HE is not a God of confusion. HE has established the proper way for the children of Israel to worship HIM.
One of the instructions HE gave to the children of Israel in the days of Moses was that the priests were to carry the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulder. During the early days of David’s reign he tried to move the ark on a cart. This ended in the life of someone touching the ark who was not allowed to touch it.
Now Solomon knew the standard the LORD had set and was doing everything the way the LORD had commanded. The priests were carrying the ark to the new Temple that he had built to honor the LORD.
When we dedicate something to the LORD, HE wants us to do it properly. If we are to dedicate a church to the service of the LORD it should be used only for that type of service. If we dedicate a child to the LORD, we need to promise to help the parents raise the children to honor the LORD with our prayers and assistance. If we dedicate a pastor to ministry, we need to help him with his duties to the LORD.
Faithfulness is what needs to be a concern in our life as it is dedicated to the LORD. We find that the cherubim were a group of angels who had a special service to the LORD and they were to perform those duties. One in their group didn’t want to follow the LORD according to HIS standard and took a group of angels with him in rebellion against the LORD. This was sinful and Satan and his fallen angels will spend eternity in the lake of fire because of their actions.
Faithful cherubs will continue to serve the LORD. Faithful believers in the church will receive a reward given at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Our responsibility is to do what the LORD has gifted us to do until HE takes us home. The priest were doing their duty faithfully in their carrying of the Ark.
CHALLENGE: What are you doing faithfully in your service to the LORD?
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD. (3519 “glory” [kabod] means weight, splendor, honor, abundance, riches, or reputation)
DEVOTION: How many of us would like to see a sign of the presence of the LORD in our world? How many would like to see a sign of the presence of the LORD in our life? Here we have a physical sign that the LORD was in a place where human beings could see HIS presence.
Solomon took seven years to build the temple of the LORD. The ark of the covenant of the LORD was brought into the temple. It was carried by the priests. It was placed in the Holy of Holies. The cherubim were there to show that the area was protected from anything or anyone that was not holy. There were many sacrifices offered that day.
However, the marvel of that day was a cloud that filled the temple so much that the priests were not able to minister. The cloud was the splendor of the LORD. Solomon saw this cloud as thick darkness. The LORD was among HIS people.
Solomon prayed a long prayer covering almost all areas of their lives. He covered enemies, pestilence, strangers, captivity, and much more. He asked the LORD to forgive HIS sinning servants. He asked the LORD to maintain their cause.
He praised the LORD for his faithfulness. He praised the LORD for his greatness. He was glad that HE kept HIS promises. He was also reminded of the future promises that were coming. It was a prayer of thanksgiving. It was a prayer of protection. It was a prayer of blessing.
After the sacrifices, there was a feast of celebration. The children of Israel left after a fourteen- day feast rejoicing in the LORD. They were blessed of the LORD.
When we approach the LORD, do we have the boldness of Solomon? Christ told us to enter into our prayer times with boldness. We are children of the king. When we worship the LORD, does HIS splendor overwhelm us? We worship the same God as Solomon worshipped. We should expect a visit from HIM on a regular basis. Do we???
We should crave the presence of the LORD daily. As we read HIS Word, we learn more about HIM and how HE is working in our world and in our life.
CHALLENGE: As we learn more, we should be praising HIM more. Our celebration should be for the rest of our life!!!
: 22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven. (6566 “spread forth” [paras] means to scatter, stretch out, to break, to spread out or open form a closed or folded state, or spread out)
DEVOTION: A lost art in the worship services of Bible believing churches is the pastoral prayer for the people and the church. Years ago there would be a pastoral prayer that would last for over five minutes where the pastor would pray for the LORD to bless the church and his people. It would be a prayer that covered the needs of the people and the needs of the world around the local church.
Here we find Solomon praying to the LORD regarding the Temple and the children of Israel. He made sure that he included in his prayer the way for the children of Israel to receive blessings and how they could lose blessings. He wanted them to understand right at the dedication of the Temple that it was not the Temple that brought blessing but obedience of the people that brought blessing.
He knew that just bringing sacrifices would not bring God’s blessings it would take the hearts of the people that were moving closer to the LORD to bring blessing. He understood this truth and wanted the people to understand it as well right at the beginning of the dedication of the Temple.
Notice also that he spread his hands toward heaven. He was not praying just for show but to the LORD. He knew that all the blessings flowed down from the LORD who was in heaven. HE was not equal with the people or king but above them. We have to look up to God to receive the blessings HE has for us on a daily basis.
Prayer is the means given to all believers to address the LORD. HE wants to hear our prayers. HE wants to answer our prayers. HE wants us to pray for others as well. We are not to be selfish.
Solomon was not only praying for himself but for all the people. It would pay for us to review his prayer and then bring it into the New Testament in regarding to the promises the LORD has made to us that are New Testament saints. We are not going to receive the promises of the children of Israel but the promises given by Jesus Christ to HIS church can be prayed for and received by us.
Are you praying for the right promises? Are you praying at all with an attitude of submission to the will of God?
CHALLENGE: Don’t ask for what you want but for what the LORD wants you to have.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 36 Then hear YOU in heaven, and forgive the sin of YOUR servants, and of YOUR people Israel, that YOU teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon YOUR land, which YOU have given to YOUR people for an inheritance. (5545 “forgive” [calach] means pardon, spare, stop blaming, stop taking offense into account, practice forbearance, release, or remove guilt)
DEVOTION: Solomon is praying for the people regarding their sin in the future. He wants the LORD to hear from heaven and pardon the children of Israel if they have sinned. Was there something that was necessary before the LORD would pardon their sin? YES!!
The verse before informs us that our responsibility before we are to expect the LORD to stop taking our offenses into account was that we have to confess our sin to HIM. The children of Israel were to come to the LORD with sacrifices to ask for release from their sin. If they were genuine, HE would look into their hearts and pardon their sin. If they were just going through the motions HE would know and they would have to suffer the consequences of their sins.
So before the LORD could release someone or a nation from their sin there had to be confession. Once that was genuinely done, HE could bring back HIS blessings on the people.
One of the blessings that they would need as a farming community was RAIN. If it stopped raining, they would know that the LORD was displeased with their actions. HE communicated this many times through HIS prophets. HE wanted them to know that there were consequences to unrepentant sin.
Today we need to go to the LORD and ask for HIS pardon for our sins if we expect HIS blessings. Too often some churches and speakers are telling people to just tell God what they want and HE will give it to them. There is no expectation of repentance. They look at God is just a magical genie that will give them whatever they ask because HE owes it to them. This is very sinful. It is not only for the people who believe it but for the teachers that teach it.
Solomon knew that the LORD expected repentance before HE would send blessing. Any other approach to God would be wrong and sinful.
CHALLENGE: Are we approaching the LORD with an attitude of repentance each time we come to HIM or with an attitude that HE owes us blessing?
: 39 Then hear you in heaven YOUR dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart YOU know; (for YOU, even YOU only, know the hearts of all the children of men) (3824 “heart” [lebab] means breast, conscience, the locus of a person’s thought, (mind, volition, emotions, and knowledge of right from wrong (conscience understood as the heart.)
DEVOTION: God knows the inner man in each human being. HE knows all our thoughts. HE knows all the challenges HE sends into our lives. HE knows our reaction to the trials HE allows in our lives.
Now we need to realize that when those who are genuine believers need to have the LORD work in our lives we have to pray for HIS help in every situation. Too often we try to do it ourselves without realizing that we are leaving HIM out of our decisions.
Solomon wanted the LORD to act in the lives of those who are HIS children in a way that helps them ask for the right thing and to forgive them of their sins.
God knows you best. HE knows us better than we know ourselves and wants us to realize that HE cares about those who are willing to go to HIM in repentance and forgive them and they lead them in the right direction.
HE even knows what gifts are good to give us. HE wants us to ask HIM for the right gifts to use for HIS glory.
HE loves us enough to make sure that we want to serve HIM. HE wants us to be willing servants. HE wants us to know that HE is willing to use us for HIS glory if we let HIM. Are you letting the LORD lead you in the right direction? What is stopping you from praying this prayer for yourself?
CHALLENGE: We need to allow the LORD to work in our life.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Solomon’s prayer of dedicationverses 12-54
Solomon spreads for his handsverse 22
Prayerverses 28-30, 33, 35, 38, 42, 44, 45, 48, 49, 54
Supplicationsverses 28, 30, 33, 34, 38, 45, 47, 49, 52, 54, 59
Cryverse 28
Spread hands in prayerverse 38
Kneeling on kneesverse 54
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Ark of the covenantverses 1, 6, 7, 21
Feastverse 2
Priestverses 3, 6, 10, 11
Tabernacle of the congregationverse 4
Sacrificingverses 5, 62
Oracle of the houseverses 6, 8
Two tables of stoneverse 9
Holy placeverse 10
House of the LORDverse 10
Altar of the LORDverses 22, 31, 54
Burnt offeringsverse 64
Meal offeringsverse 64
Peace offeringsverse 64
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Commandmentsverses 58, 61
Statutesverses 58, 61
Judgmentsverse 58
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verses 1, 4, 6, 9-12, 15, 17, 18, 20-23, 25, 28, 44, 53 (GOD), 54, 56, 57, 59-66
Ark of the Covenant of the LORDverses 1, 6
Ark of the LORDverse 4
Covenant with the children of Israelverse 9
House of the LORDverses 10, 11
Glory of the LORDverse 11
God – Elohim (Creator)verses 15, 17, 23, 25, 26-28, 57, 59-61
LORD God of Israelverses 15, 17, 20, 23, 25
Covenant of the LORDverses 21, 23
Promiseverses 24, 56
O God of Israelverse 26
O LORD my Godverse 28
Hear from heavenverses 34, 38, 52
Forgive sinverses 34, 39
Teach them good wayverse 36
Great nameverse 42
Maintain the cause of those who prayverse 45
Compassionverse 50
Inheritanceverse 51
Lord – Adonai (Master, Sovereign)verse 53
O Lord GODverse 53
LORD our Godverses 57, 59, 61, 65
Not leave or forsake Israelverse 57
LORD is God none elseverse 60
Dedicated the house of the LORDverse 63
LORD our Godverse 65
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Cherubimverses 6, 7
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Land of Egyptverses 9, 16, 21, 51, 53, 65
Neighborverse 31
Enemyverses 33, 37, 44, 46, 48
Strangerverses 41, 43
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Trespassverse 31
Wickedverses 32, 47
Sinned verses 33-35, 46, 47, 50
Plague of own heartverse 38
Done perverselyverse 47
Transgressionverse 50
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Chosenverses 16, 44, 48
Promiseverses 20, 24, 25, 56
Covenantverse 23
Mercyverse 23
Walkverses 23, 25, 36, 58
Servantverses 26, 28-30, 32, 36, 52
Forgiveverses 30, 34, 36, 39, 50
Justifyverse 32
Righteousverse 32
Confessverses 32, 35
Turn againverse 33
Turn from sinverses 35, 48
Afflictedverse 35
Forgivenverse 36
Teachverse 36
Good wayverse 36
Inheritanceverses 36, 51, 53
Fear of the LORDverse 40
Maintain our causeverses 45, 49, 59
Repentverse 47
Compassionverse 50
Restverse 56
LORD with us – not leave or forsakeverse 57
Keep the Word of Godverse 58
Heart perfectverse 61
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Solomonverses 1, 5, 12, 14-66
Blessed the congregation of Israel
Blessed Israel
Prayer of blessing
Dedicate the house of the LORD
Elders of Israelverses 1, 3
Heads of the tribesverses 1, 16
Jerusalemverse 1
Men of Israelverse 2
Congregation of Israelverses 5, 22
Moses verses 9, 53
Davidverses 15-20, 24-26, 66
Israelverses 34, 41, 43, 52
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
64–66 To accommodate the large numbers of sacrifices, the whole middle part of the court in front of the temple was consecrated. The large number of sacrifices and the involvement of the people attest to the unity of purpose and the wholeheartedness of the devotion of people and king.
The Feast of Booths was in itself a grand occasion for rejoicing and for an enhanced spirit of community among all Israelites. The dedication of the temple made this occasion all the more joyful and memorable, and the time of celebration was suitably extended. When the people left, they went home rejoicing and with a great feeling of satisfaction in the realization that God’s blessing was on the king and on the nation as a whole. This was indeed a memorable and significant occasion. (Patterson, R. D., & Austel, H. J. (1988). 1, 2 Kings. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, pp. 91–92). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
8:64–66. The same day Solomon dedicated the temple he also consecrated … the courtyard in front of the temple with his offerings. This dedication took place at the beginning of the festival of Tabernacles which normally lasted one week, but was extended to two weeks on this special occasion. The Feast of Tabernacles commemorated Israel’s years of wandering in the wilderness (Lev. 23:33, 41–43). It was fitting that the temple should be dedicated at this feast since that permanent sanctuary now symbolized the end of Israel’s wanderings. People from as far away as Lebo Hamath in northern Israel toward the Euphrates River and the Wadi of Egypt (modern Wadi el-Arish) far to the south attended the festivities; all Israel participated. The people returned home at the end of the feast joyful and thankful to God for His goodness to them. (Constable, T. L. (1985). 1 Kings. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 505). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
8:62–64 Further sacrifices. As befitted a momentous occasion, stupendous quantities of animal sacrifices were offered (apparently all in one day!). This took place in the middle of the courtyard that stood in front of the temple (the same as ‘the inner courtyard’ mentioned in 6:36?) because it was the only place where there was enough room. It is implied that Solomon took on a priestly role here, consecrating the court and offering the sacrifices, just as David had offered sacrifices when bringing the ark to Jerusalem (2 Sa. 6:17–18).
8:65–66 Summary and the end of the feast. All Israel had been represented by the assembly; and by sketching the northern and southern limits of Solomon’s realm the writer takes the opportunity once again to glorify his reign. On the eighth day the people returned to their homes rejoicing. (Bimson, J. J. (1994). 1 and 2 Kings. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 349). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.)
8:62–65 Of the great number of animals that were sacrificed, some were used as food for the huge throng that had assembled (v. 65). Since the bronze altar was not large enough to receive all the burnt offerings, etc., Solomon consecrated a place in the middle of the court where the rest could be offered to the Lord. This great celebration was characterized by joy and worship and thanksgiving. Of the thousands of animals slain, not one was offered as a sin or trespass offering.
At this same time, Solomon held the Feast of Tabernacles with Israelites who had come from as far as the entrance of Hamath, near Dan, in the north and from the Brook of Egypt in the south. The Feast of Dedication and the Feast of Tabernacles together lasted for fourteen days. (MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 365). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)
Ver. 66. On the eighth day he sat the people away, &c.] That is, of the feast of tabernacles, the 8th from the 1st of that, which was a solemn day, and fell on the 22d of the month; at the close of which the dismission was made, or they had leave to go, but they did not until the 23d, according to 2 Chron. 7:10. and they blessed the king; returned him thanks for his care, and charge, and pains, in building the temple; for his prayers for them, and the feast he had now made, and wished all health and happiness to him: and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart; or to their cities, as the Targum, to their several habitations; being greatly delighted with what they had seen and heard, and partook of especially: for all the goodness the Lord had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people; in 2 Chron. 7:10. it is added, unto Solomon; for David, in giving him such a son and successor, who according to promise had built the house of the Lord; and for Solomon, in raising him up to such dignity, and enabling him to build such a temple for the worship of God and his glory; and for the people of Israel, in giving them such a king to rule over them, under whom they enjoyed so much peace and prosperity, and the full and free exercise of the true religion, with such accommodations, and in such a splendid manner as now. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 712). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READINGS
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the great German pastor, theologian, martyr, spy was asked in 1943 how it was possible for the Church to sit back and let Hitler seize absolute power. His firm answer: “It was the teaching of cheap grace.”
“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
We live in a time and culture that not only teaches cheap grace but praises it.
TO FORGIVE
calach (סָלַח, 5545), “to forgive.” This verb appears 46 times in the Old Testament. The meaning “to forgive” is limited to biblical and rabbinic Hebrew; in Akkadian, the word means “to sprinkle,” and in Aramaic and Syriac signifies “to pour out.” The meaning of calach in Ugaritic is debatable.
The first biblical occurrence is in Moses’ prayer of intercession on behalf of the Israelites: “… It is a stiffnecked people; and [forgive] our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance” (Exod. 34:9). The basic meaning undergoes no change throughout the Old Testament. God is always the subject of “forgiveness.” No other Old Testament verb means “to forgive,” although several verbs include “forgiveness” in the range of meanings given a particular context (e.g., naca˓ and ˓awon in Exod. 32:32; kapar in Ezek. 16:63).
The verb occurs throughout the Old Testament. Most occurrences of calach are in the sacrificial laws of Leviticus and Numbers. In the typology of the Old Testament, sacrifices foreshadowed the accomplished work of Jesus Christ, and the Old Testament believer was assured of “forgiveness” based on sacrifice: “And the priest shall make an atonement [for him in regard to his sin]” (Num. 15:25, 28), “And it shall be forgiven him” (Lev. 4:26; cf. vv. 20, 31, 35; 5:10, 13, 16, 18). The mediators of the atonement were the priests who offered the sacrifice. The sacrifice was ordained by God to promise ultimate “forgiveness” in God’s sacrifice of His own Son. Moreover, sacrifice was appropriately connected to atonement, as there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Lev. 4:20; cf. Heb. 9:22).
Out of His grace, God alone “forgives” sin. The Israelites experienced God’s “forgiveness” in the wilderness and in the Promised Land. As long as the temple stood, sacrificial atonement continued and the Israelites were assured of God’s “forgiveness.” When the temple was destroyed and sacrifices ceased, God sent the prophetic word that He graciously would restore Israel out of exile and “forgive” its sins (Jer. 31:34).
The psalmist appealed to God’s great name in his request for “forgiveness”: “For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great” (Ps. 25:11). David praised God for the assurance of “forgiveness” of sins: “Bless the Lord, O my soul … , who forgiveth all thine iniquities …” (Ps. 103:2-3). The Old Testament saints, while involved in sacrificial rites, put their faith in God.
In the Septuagint, calach is most frequently translated by hileos einai (“to be gracious; be merciful”), hilaskesthai (“to propitiate, expiate”) and apievai (“to forgive, pardon, leave, cancel”). The translation “to forgive” is found in most English versions (kjv, rsv, nasb, niv), and at times also “to pardon” (kjv, rsv). (Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.)
Pilate sentences Jesus to be crucified on the hill called Golgotha, “The Skull.”
INSIGHT
Without conflict, there are no heroes. The hero and coward look alike until the battle begins. Then and only then, in the face of the challenge, is each one’s true character manifested.
In Jesus’ time, you do not expect heroes of the Christian faith to emerge from the ranks of the Pharisees. But Joseph of Arimathea defies the expectations.
This godly man risks wealth, reputation, and perhaps personal safety, when he asks for and receives the permission to take down Jesus’ body from the cross and lay it in his own tomb. (Quiet Walk)
THE CROSS AND THE GRACE OF GOD
By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8
If you want to know God, if you want to know the everlasting and eternal God, this is the way, the only way: Look at the cross. Gaze on, meditate on, survey the wondrous cross. And then you will see something of Christ.
The first thing you will see is the grace of God. Grace is a great word in the Bible, the grace of God. It is most simply defined in these words—it is favor shown to people who do not deserve any favor at all. And the message of the Gospel is that any one of us is saved and put right for eternity solely and entirely by the grace of God, not by ourselves. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). My friend, is it not about time we all admitted it? Do what you like, you will never save yourself. You will never save yourself from the world, the flesh, or the devil; you will never save yourself from your own misery. Still less will you save yourself from the law of God and judgment and hell. You cannot do it. Men have tried it throughout the centuries. They have all admitted failure.
Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and thou alone.
Augustus M. Toplady
A Thought to Ponder
Do what you like, you will never save yourself.,
(From The Cross, pp. 74-75, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
The Living Word
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
This is the great verse of the Incarnation, declaring to us that the Creator of all things, the eternal Word of God (John 1:1-3) actually became a man, being “made flesh” (our text). Since this verse and the following verses unequivocally refer to “Jesus Christ” (v. 17), there is no legitimate escape (though many have tried) from the great truth that the man called Jesus of Nazareth was the great God and Creator, as well as perfect man and redeeming Savior. Furthermore, He has assumed human flesh forever, while still remaining fully God. He is Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).
He is not part man and part God, or sometimes man and sometimes God, but is now the God-man, fully and eternally true God and perfect man—man as God created and intended man to be. See also Philippians 2:5-8 and 1 John 4:2-3.
When He first became man, He “dwelt among us” for a while. The word “dwelt,” however, is actually the Greek word for “tabernacled.” As in the tabernacle (or “tent”) prepared by Moses (Exodus 40:33) in the wilderness, the glory of God in Christ dwelled on Earth for a time in a “body” prepared by God (Hebrews 10:5). We also “beheld his glory,” says His beloved disciple, John. The Greek word for “tabernacle” (skene) is a cognate word to shakan (the Hebrew word for “dwell”), both being related to what has come to be known as the Shekinah glory cloud that filled the ancient tabernacle (Exodus 40:34).
Eventually, when the Holy City descends out of heaven to the new earth, then “the tabernacle of God” will forever be “with men,” and He will “dwell with them” and “be their God” eternally (Revelation 21:3). Thus, God’s “Living Word” is now and always our living Lord! (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
Love Reins Us In
It is better not to . . . do anything . . . that will cause your brother or sister to fall. Romans 14:21
Most young Samoan boys receive a tattoo signaling their responsibility to their people and their chief. Naturally, then, the marks cover the arms of the Samoan men’s rugby team members. Traveling to Japan where tattoos can carry negative connotations, the teammates realized their symbols presented a problem for their hosts. In a generous act of friendship, the Samoans wore skin-colored sleeves covering the designs. “We’re respectful and mindful to . . . the Japanese way,” the team captain explained. “We’ll be making sure that what we’re showing will be okay.”
In an age emphasizing individual expression, it’s remarkable to encounter self-limitation—a concept Paul wrote about in the book of Romans. He told us that love sometimes requires us to lay down our rights for others. Rather than pushing our freedom to the boundaries, sometimes love reins us in. The apostle explained how some people in the church believed they were free “to eat anything,” but others ate “only vegetables” (Romans 14:2). While this might seem like a minor issue, in the first century, adherence to Old Testament dietary laws was controversial. Paul instructed everyone to “stop passing judgment on one another” (v. 13), before concluding with particular words for those who ate freely. “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall” (v. 21).
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