1 Kings 8:22-53, Solomon’s Dedicatory Prayer

1 Kings 5-7 tells about the building of the temple as well as other great projects of Solomon.  1 Kings 8 (and 2 Chron. 6) describe the dedication of the temple, including the great prayer of Solomon in seeking the LORD to show His grace and mercy to Israel because of the temple. 

The temple was a beautiful place.  But in Israel it was not a “temple” until the Ark of the Covenant was in its place (8:1-13).  The Mercy Seat was God’s resting place.  It’s interesting that Solomon did all this during Succoth, the Feast of Tabernacles.  They celebrated a double-feast, going for two weeks rather than just one (v65).

Let’s note some highlights in this prayer.

·       v23-26: God’s immanence. God deals with men, He is near.  Specifically, God was keeping the covenant He made with David.  Solomon was the first Davidic son to rule.  The Davidic Covenant is fundamental to what Solomon asks for in dedicating the temple.

·       v27: God’s transcendence.  God deals with men; yet He cannot be confined to a temple.  Nevertheless, the prayer is that He would pay attention to what goes on at this temple. And what is the primary need? FORGIVENESS.  Remember that the temple was where the altar of sacrifice was located, where the daily sacrifices were offered morning and evening. 

o   v31-32: when sin is personal, neighbor to neighbor.

o   v33-34: when Israel is defeated by an enemy.

o   v35-36: when there is a drought

o   v37-40: when there is any kind of plague.  You alone know the hearts of men (v39).

o   v41-43: when foreigners worship at the temple. The reason is that they too will fear God!

o   v44-45: when Israel goes out to battle. Note: the idea was that they could turn toward the temple. Wherever!

o   v46-53: when Israel is carried off captive.  Wherever they were and whenever they wanted they could call to the LORD!  Daniel prayed from Babylon toward the temple when there was no temple (Dan. 6:10). v46: there is no one who does not sin.  v51: they are Your people and Your inheritance.

·       v54-61: conclusion of the prayer. Blessings on Israel were called for through the “God of the temple.”

o   v58: a fundamental request is that the LORD may incline our hearts to Himself.

o   v59: Israel can receive as each day requires. Prayer is daily. From wherever you are. Not just at specific feasts. Of when you are at the temple.

o   v60: The purpose of the temple included an evangelistic theme, that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other!

In my brief lifetime it has become clear that our society doesn’t understand forgiveness.  For some, forgiveness is bad politics.  One of our former presidents, Bill Clinton, never understood “confession” or even “apology.”  He recently claimed to be the victim in the “Lewinsky affair.”  Public apologies in our world are usually “IF I have done anything to hurt someone I’m sorry.”  That is empty.  Years after the events, some of the women involved seemed either bitter or happy to have the press coverage. 

There was another story in the news.  A professional quarterback, Michael Vick, was charged with animal cruelty, having dogs that he used in illegal dogfights.  He confessed his wrong, and served significant time in jail, paying for his crimes.  When he was released from prison people still treated him as a criminal, even though he showed a lot of evidence of having been truly contrite. 

Take time to meditate on Solomon’s prayer and the important thoughts in it.  We want God to hear our prayers and forgive us.  Jesus said we experience God’s forgiveness when we practice God’s forgiveness (Matt. 6:14-15). 

1 Kings 3:1-14; 4:29-34, The Great and Disloyal King Solomon

After David, Solomon has the most detailed description of all the Davidic kings or kings of the northern kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 1-11; 2 Chron. 1-9).  This makes sense, in that he was the one to build and dedicate the temple, and because of God’s material blessing on Israel, and also because Solomon’s failures led to the dividing of the nation.

What did it mean that David was a man after God’s heart? One way to answer that is to see the differences between David and Solomon.  Solomon “loved” the LORD (3:3).  But it was not said he was a man after God’s heart. David did not worship at the high places. Solomon did (v3-4).  Even though the temple had not been built in David’s time, it appears his worship was limited to Jerusalem, at the place where the Ark was brought, and at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (2 Sam. 24:18-25).  Perhaps his single-heartedness about God was a key to being after God’s heart.

Also, Solomon’s heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David (1 Kings 11:4).  Therefore, Solomon did evil and did not fully follow the LORD as David (11:6). David confessed and repented and paid the price. We are not told that Solomon ever repented and rejected his idolatry and evil doings.  And Solomon didn’t really pay the price (for David’s sake, 11:12).  Solomon had “adversaries” (11:14) but Rehoboam experienced the division of the kingdom that was the punishment for Solomon’s sin.

The term “loyal” (11:4 in NKJV) comes from a word that means to be in a covenant of peace.  Thus, “loyal” means to have a heart that is complete, at peace and perfect.  It is interesting that in 1 Kings 3, after Solomon had married Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her to the “City of David.” that God still found pleasure in Solomon (3:10).  But obviously, as the foreign wives multiplied, Solomon became more restless in heart rather than at peace with God.

Another thing about Solomon has to do with his great “wisdom.”  The description of Solomon in 1 Ki. 4:29-34 shows a truly great and wise man.  What a great attribute, that God gave Solomon “largeness of heart.”  Wisdom is important, especially in the administration of justice.   Biblical wisdom tells us how to navigate properly in the world of the Creator.  In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3).  Solomon, in Prov. 8, was speaking of Christ when he said that “wisdom” was present at the creation of all things. 

Having said that, we still note that, like the Law, wisdom can tell us how we ought to live and act in a multitude of situations.  But it cannot enable us to be wise.  For that we need a new heart.  Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived; yet in many ways he lived foolishly.

There is much on which we need to meditate as we read of the Kings of Israel and Judah.  Solomon certainly provides much for us to consider.  Let us do so, for the exaltation of Christ, our righteous King; and for our own growth in likeness to Him.

2 Chronicles 16, Failure of Good Kings in Later Years

It was pretty consistent that Kings of Judah who were “good” struggled spiritually later in their reign. 

KING	SUCCESS IN EARLY YEARS	FAILURE IN LATER YEARS
David	2 Sam. 12:7-8: God blessed him abundantly	2 Sam. 12:9: yet he took Bathsheba from Uriah 2 Sam. 24:1: the LORD incited David to count troops 1 Chr. 21:1: Satan incited David
Solomon	2 Chr. 9:22-24: his splendor	1 Ki. 11:1-8: loved foreign wives, heart not devoted to God, in later years turned to idols
Rehoboam     (Abijah)	2 Chr. 11:4: obeyed the Lord 2 Chr. 12:1a: position strengthened	2 Chr. 12:1b: abandoned the law of the LORD, repented, only partial punishment 2 Chr. 12:12: “There was some good in Israel”
Asa	2 Chr. 14: destroyed idols; v11: trusted God for victory. Ch. 15: reforms were made	2 Chr. 16:2: trusted another king. v10: rejected reproof. v12: foot disease, wouldn't seek help from God.
Jehoshaphat   (Jehoram) (Ahaziah)	2 Chr. 17:3: early years followed David. v9: the law was taught. 20:4,6-12: sought help from the Lord.	20:35: made alliance with Ahaziah
Joash	2 Chr. 24:2: did good all the years of Jehoiada the priest. Reforms were made.	24:17-25: turned away, killed prophet. Died by assassination.
Amaziah	2 Chr. 25:2: did good. God gave victory.	25:14: Turned to idols of enemy he defeated.
Uzziah	2 Chr. 26:4: did right. v5: as long as he sought the LORD, God gave success. Fame, great army. Success in everything.	26:16: After he became powerful his pride led to his downfall. Leprosy until he died.
Jotham   (Ahaz)	2 Chr. 27:2: did right. v6: grew powerful bec. he walked steadfastly before the Lord.
Hezekiah (Manasseh) (Amon)	2 Chr. 29-31: made reforms. Ch. 32: trusted God against Sennacherib	32:25: pride, didn’t respond to God’s kindness. v26: repented so punishment delayed.
Josiah (Jehoahaz) (Jehoiakim) (Jehoiachin) (Zedekiah)	2 Chr. 34:2: did right. Temple repair. Book found. Made reforms. Key: 2 Ki. 23:25	Opposed Egypt, God’s servants. Was killed. (35:20-27).
	KEYS TO SUCCESS 1.    Good advisors (2 Chr. 24:2, Josiah/Jehoiadah) 2.    Seeking the LORD (2 Chr. 26:5, Uzziah) 3.    Walking steadfastly before the LORD (27:6: Jotham) 4.    A man under the Word (2 Ki. 23:25: Josiah)	KEYS TO FAILURE 1.    Poor advisors (2 Chr. 24:17: Jehoidah dead, listened to officials of Israel) 2.    Pride (Uzziah, Hezekiah) 3.    Failure to remove high places, facilitated idolatry.

2 Chronicles 30:1-20, Introduction to 1 & 2 Chronicles

 First, let’s conclude our introduction to 1 & 2 Kings.

·       Comparisons and contrasts of 1 and 2 Kings

1 Kings                                                    2 Kings

Begins with David                                  Ends with the king of Babylon

Opens with Solomon’s glory                  Ends with Zedekiah’s captivity

Records building the temple                   Records burning of the temple

Records blessing of obedience               Records the curse of disobedience

The progress of apostacy                        The consequences of apostacy

The kings failure to rule for God           Results of failure to rule for God.

Introduces Elijah                                     Introduces Elisha

Records the longsuffering of God          Records God’s punishment of sin

We already did a brief overview of 1 Chronicles because it, along with 2 Samuel, covered the life of David.  But now let us get introduced to the two books.

·       Authorship

Scripture does not tell us who served as the human author, but the Jewish tradition that it was Ezra has much to offer.  The book of Ezra begins where 2 Chron. ends.  There are similarities of style.  And Ezra was a priest, and it appears the author of the Chronicles had a priestly concern.

·       Sources

The Holy Spirit tells us that the writer did rely on various sources.  In the genealogies of 1 Chron. 1-9 there was dependence on the Pentateuch as well as various books of history in the OT.  In addition, 1 Chron. 29:29 speaks of three sources: the books of Samuel, Nathan and Gad.  2 Chron. 9:29 refers to the prophecy of Abijah and the visions of Ido.  2 Chron. 12:15 refers to the book of Shamiah.  2 Chron. 24:27 refers to “the annals of the book of the kings” which could refer to the Biblical books of “The Kings.” 

·       Purpose:

o   The Kings were written from a prophetic viewpoint; Chronicles was written from a priestly viewpoint.

§  Genealogies of 1 Chr. 1-9.  This was critical to the priestly ministry.

§  Omission of history of NK.  The temple and it’s worship were in Judah, not in the NK.

§  Heavy attention is given to priestly worship, and the extensive organization that took place under David.

o   To show division of families and positions prior to captivity.

o   To trace the Kingdom of Judah from the beginning to the restoration.

o   To impress the people with the importance of temple worship (to keep them from idolatry).

o   To show the importance of faithfulness to the Lord.

·       Outline:

o   1 Chr. 1-9: Genealogy of Mankind (Adam to David)

o   1 Chr. 10-29: History of David

o   2 Chr. 1-9: History of Solomon

o   2 Chr. 10-36: Kingdom of Judah to the proclamation of Cyrus.

When you read the books of Kings and Chronicles, I believe it is the record of what God prophesied for the nation in the Song of Moses (Deut. 32) as well as the prophecy of blessings and curses in Lev. 26.  God predicted Israel’s unfaithfulness as well as His chastisement on the nation, including removal from the land.  You will see, when you read the prophets, that they had this perspective.  They viewed the events in Israel through the lens of the Song of Moses.  Various pestilences and defeats at the hands of the nations were not viewed as political events; they were the fulfillment of prophecy.  God was doing in Israel what He said He would do.  Consider this as you read the Books of History, Joshua through Esther.

1 Kings 11:1-13, Introduction to 1 & 2 Kings

Our “survey” approach to the Old Testament has obviously become much broader as of late.  We hope what we are giving you will be helpful and encouraging for you as you read through the OT.  In the next few posts our plan is to give you an introduction to the books of the Kings and Chronicles. 

·       Authorship

There isn’t much to say here as the Bible does not tell us.  Jewish tradition suggests that Jeremiah was the author.  The language and expression is similar in Jeremiah and the Kings.  There is some literal agreement (cf. 2 Kings 24 and Jer. 52).  It was written after the destruction of Jerusalem (between 561 and 538BC), and Jeremiah was available at that time, even when he was taken to Egypt. 

·       Sources of material

The Bible does speak to this issue.  1 Kings 11:41 refers to the Book of the Acts of Solomon.  Seventeen times Kings refers to the Book of the Chronicles of Israel, and 15 times to the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah.  “Chronicles” in our Bible could refer to Judah but not Israel. These books were contemporary court records.  1 Ki. 4:3 refers to a recorder for the court. 

On the question of “inspiration of Scripture” this use of sources would mean that the Holy Spirit led the human author to these records.  The doctrine of Inspiration states that the Holy Spirit carried the writers along in such a way that what they wrote was free from error (2 Pet. 1:20-21).

·       Overview (1 & 2 Kings were originally one book)

o   1015-975BC: Solomon reigns over undivided kingdom (1 Kings 1-11).

o   975-722BC: The divided kingdom, 2 nations side-by-side (1 Ki. 12 – 2 Ki. 17).

o   722-560BC: The Kingdom of Judah by itself into 37 years of captivity (2 Ki. 18-25).

 

·       Purpose:

o   Show how Israel prospered when obedient and suffered when disobedient.

o   Show God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to David in spite of Israel’s sins.

o   Not just a civil history, but a religious and theocratic view.

·       Relation to other books:

o   Kings are a continuation of Samuel.

o   Kings and 2 Chronicles cover a similar time period (1 Sam. & 1 Chron. cover David) but have significant differences.

§  Chr. has no history of the NK; Kings deals more with the N than the S.

§  Chr. deals with Levites and temple ministry; Kings with political history.

·       Outline:

o   1 Ki. 1-2: commencement of Solomon’s reign, consolidation of his power.

o   1 Ki. 3-11: development of Solomon’s government.

o   1 Ki. 12-16:28: the early enmity between Judah and Israel.

o   1 Ki. 16:29-2 Ki. 10: friendship & intermarriage between royal houses of Israel and Judah.

o   2 Ki. 11-17: renewal of hostilities between Judah and Israel.

o   2 Ki. 18-25: history of Judah to the Babylonian captivity.

Psalm 45

This Song is one of the truly greatest Messianic Psalms in all of God’s great hymnbook.  The opening verse says as much: “My heart is overflowing with a good theme.”  And it also says why: “I recite my composition concerning the King.”  There is no greater subject than the Messiah, the exalted Son of God.  That was true for the “sons of Korah” to whom this is attributed; that IS true for believers today for whom Jesus is to be their great obsession (e.g. Heb. 12:1-2).

This Psalm actually contains words spoken directly to the Church today, although the human author would not have understood.  In the heading this Psalm is called “a Song of Love.”  Indeed it is, a song about the King and His bride.  We know that bride to be the Church, the body of Christ (Eph. 5:22-33).  Note the simple outline:

·         V2-9: The Exaltation of Christ the King.

·         V10-17: The Exhortation to the King’s Bride.

A careful reading of v6-7 will reveal one of the strongest statements in the Old Testament of the Deity of the Messiah, a truth recognized by the writer of Hebrews (Heb. 1:8-9).  But that is not all.  Careful meditation of everything said about the King reveals the Son of God who will be established forever on the throne of Zion (Psalm 2:6-9).

§  V2: He is fairer than the sons of men.  But unlike King Saul who was physically exceptional, the Messiah excels by the grace that is poured on His lips.  His very words, as the Word of God, speak salvation.  Thus He is blessed FOREVER by God.

§  V3: He is noted for His “glory and majesty”.  We know of Christ in terms of His earthly life where there were only glimpses of His glory, but it was “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). 

§  V4: He will rule prosperously because of truth, humility and righteousness.  What divine qualities were more characteristic of our Lord Jesus Christ in the days of His earthly ministry? 

We must stop with this kind of comment.  As the human author said, “My HEART is overflowing with a good theme.”  Words are difficult to come by in thinking of this magnificent King!  I exhort you to make this Psalm the object of meditation today.  Think of this King/Groom as He goes to take His bride.  How fortunate she is, how blessed this queen adorned in gold.  And it is all because of the One to whom she is joined!

The advice to the bride makes perfect sense.  “Forget your own people also, and your father’s house” (v10).  “Because He is your Lord, worship Him” (v11). 

Let us make one additional thought.  There is a principle of interpretation given to us in Eph. 5.  What is said of Christ and His bride is to be true of the Christian husband and wife.  Consider this as part of the application of this Psalm.  “Let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Eph. 5:33).

May our hearts overflow today with the glories of our King, our Lord!

1 Chronicles 29:10-20, David’s Legacy (2)

1 Chronicles 10-29 also contains a record of David’s reign.  1 and 2 Chron. were taken from various records (1 Sam. 29:29: records by Samuel, Nathan and Gad are mentioned).  The compiler seemed to have a priestly interest.  Many consider Ezra to be a prime candidate for this job.  Here is an outline of 1 Chron.:

·         Ch. 1-9: Ancestry (beginning with Adam)

·       Ch. 10-29:

o   David becomes king, 10-12

o   David’s relationship with God, 13-17

o   David’s conquests, 18-20

o   David’s later reign, 21-29 (temple prep, organization)

1 Chronicles doesn’t tell about the Bathsheba incident or Absalom’s rebellion, although it does tell of David’s sin in taking the census (ch. 21).  Two chapters (15-16) record the bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem.  Ch. 16 contains a “Song of Thanksgiving” David wrote.  It is interesting in that parts of this psalm appear in three psalms in the Psalter.

•      16:8-22 is Psalm 105:1-15.
• · 16:23-33 is Psalm 96:1-13.
• ·       16:34 appears in many psalms including 106:1.
• ·       16:35-36 is Psalm 106:47-48.

1 Chron. 17 records the establishment of the Davidic Covenant.  It appears to have been copied from 2 Sam. 7.  The later chapters contain detailed records of the Levites, priests, musicians, gatekeepers, and other officials critical to the temple worship.  David organized all this, and the compiler (Ezra?) recorded it during and/or after the Babylonian captivity.  These records would be needed in the Second Temple.

David did a lot of preparation work for building the temple.  In Ch. 28 David gave Solomon the plans that God had given to him (28:19).  Ch. 28:9,20 are powerful charges to Solomon, worthy of meditation for us today.  In Ch. 29 David gives the people an opportunity to contribute financially to the building of the temple.  Today’s passage records David’s response to how God moved mightily among the people so that they gave very generously.  Here are a few notes on this blessing of David.

·       29:10-11: Jesus drew on v11 for the Lord’s Prayer because David related it to God the Father! David knew God that way.

·       29:14: All things come from You… of Your hand we have given You.

·       29:15: This is amazing, and correct and righteous … David, who worked to establish an earthly kingdom, recognized he was an alien and pilgrim! His (and my) days on earth are as a shadow.

·       29:15: AND WITHOUT HOPE! Surely he means earth does not offer hope. Bec David knows, Ps. 23:6, He will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

·       29:16: Isn’t this great! All I have, Father, is from You! It’s Yours! I am just the steward.

·       29:17: David knew God tests the heart. Our giving never fools God. Only others. And ourselves.

o   God has pleasure in uprightness.

o   David rejoiced in the giving of the people.

·       29:18: God’s long-term faithfulness (to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, AND Israel) should lead us to be faithful, to have hearts fixed on God.