1 Kings 8

1 - 21 Dedication of the Temple

My notes contextualize this pretty well: The transfer of th Ark of the Covenant into the newly constructed temple building, and the oracle of God's acceptance (1 Kings 9, 3-9), and his act of possession (1 Kings 8, 10-13), constituted the temple's solemn dedication, and made of it the abiding dwelling of God among his people for which David had hoped. The concurrence of the feast of Booths marks an appropriate transition of God's dwelling among nomadic trabes to his permanent abode among a settled people.

22 - 66 Solomon's Prayer

Solomon prays to the Lord for justice and in praise. Then he offered a sacrifice of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. Then there was a great festival. (It sounds as if they ate well!) "On the eighth day he dismissed the people, who bade the king farewell and went to their homes, rejoicing and happy over all the blessings the LORD had given to his servant David and to his people Israel." (66)

1 Kings 7

1 - 12 Building the Palace

Solomon spent 13 years constructing his palace. It is described as being very large and opulent.

13 - 51 Furnishing the Temple

My notes: "The two hollow bronze columns, Jachin and Boaz, stood free to the right and left of the temple porch. The names are related to God's power (Boaz) [I always thought that meant "Outlet Mall" - K] founding (Jachine) the temple and his people. (15-21)" Then . . . "The sea . . . rested on 12 oxen: this was a large circular tank containing about 12,000 gallons of water."

When it was completed, Solomon dedicated offerings of David, putting gold and silver into the temple treasuries.

1 Kings 6

1 - 38 Building the Temple

480 years after the Israelites departed Egypt, in Solomon's fourth year as king, construction began. (My Notes: "Construction of the temple is here paralleled in importance with the founding of the nation after the departure from Egypt. In both, God is the central figure who chose Israel as his people, and now chooses the place where his temple should be built. The year given is a round number, 480, which corresponds to twelve generations. The fourth year of Solomon's reign = c. 968 B.C.)

The specs of the new temple are given. (My notes: The sanctuary of the holy of holies reserved for the Lord is the innermost part of the temple. Here through his presence he dwelt as on a throne between the cherubim above the ark of the covenant.) Solomon used the cedar and gold and put many nice carvings inside. It took about seven years to complete it.

1 Kings 5

1 - 14 Solomon's Royal State (Continued)

Solomon has quite a spread - lots of land, supplies and chariot horses. He's also the wisest man in land (3000 proverbs & 1005 songs) He knew a lot about plants and animals, and people came from all the earth to hear him.

15 - 32 Preparation for the Temple

Solomon writes to Hiram that since his father's enemies are gone, he will be able to build a temple. Hiram agrees to supply the lumber. In return, Solomon gives Hiram's family wheat and oil, and there is peace between them. Solomon consecrates 30,000 workers, 70,000 carriers and 80,000 stonecutters, 3,300 overseers. Large blocks are quarried for the foundation.

1 Kings 4

1 - 6 Chief Officers of the Kingdom.

Solomon was king over all of Israel, and then we have a list of officials. (Cool names like Zadok, Jehoshaphat, and Adoniram (superintendent of the forced labor - I'd hate to be on his bad side).

7 - 19 Solomon's Royal State

Solomon had twelve commissaries for all Israel who supplied food for the king and his household, each having to provide for one month of the year.

My notes: "The administration of the kingdom thus initiated by Solomon continued in its main features for the duration of the monarchy in Israel and Judah.

1 Kings 3

1 - 15 Wisdom of Solomon

Solomon marries the daughter of Pharaoh. Solomon goes to Gibeon to sacrifice and the Lord speaks to him: "Ask something of me and I will give it to you." Solomon asks for "an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong." (This is a good thing to pray for). The Lord gives him "a heart so wise and understanding that there has not been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you." Oh, and he also gives Solomon riches, glory, and a long life.

16 - 28 Solomon's Judgment

Here is the famous story of two women who are fighting over a child, and Solomon orders the child cut in half. He declares the child's mother is the one who protests.

1 Kings 2

1 - 11 David's Last Instructions and Death

Before he dies, David is reminded of God's Promise: "If your sons so conduct themselves that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart and with their whole soul, you shall always have someone of your line on the throne of Israel." (2 Sam. 7: 11-16) The length of David's reign was 40 years (7 in Hebron and 33 in Jerusalem).

12 - 46 The Kingdom Made Secure

After Solomon's Ascension to the throne, Abinijah asks Bethsheba to persuade Solomon to grant Abishag the Shumanite as his wife. Instead, Solomon as Abinijah put to death. My Notes: "Abishag had been the concubine of King David. His successor, Solomon, inherited his father's harem. When Adonijah requested Abishag as his wife, he was subtly undermining the security of Solomon's throne and exposing himself to the suspicion of insurrection." Solomon lets Abiathar the priest go back home to Anathoth. Then Solomon has Joab struck down at the tent of the Lord. Solomon puts Shimei under house arrest in Jerusalem. When Solomon discovers that Shimei has gone to Gath, he has him executed. (This all reminds me of the last few minutes of The Godfather when Michael has to prove himself more ruthless than his father.)

1 Kings 1

1 - Rise of Solomon

King David is older and sickly. His servants get Abishag the Shunammite to wait on him. Although she's very beautiful, there's no hanky-panky.

Adonijah, son of Haggith thinks he's going to be king. He sacrifices sheep, oxen, & fatlings by the Serpent's Stone.

Nathan warns Bathsheba, Solomon's mom, that their lives are in danger if Adonijah becomes king. She goes to David and reminds him that he promised that Solomon would reign after him. Nathan comes in and tells David of Adonijah. David tells Bathsheba that Solomon will reign after him. He calls Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah together to anoint Solomon and shout "Long live King Solomon!" They do this, causing Adonijah to flee. When Solomon finds out about Adonijah's fear of him, he states, "If he prove to be a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to earth; but if wickedness if found in him, he shall die."

Philippians 4

1 - 23 Paul's urges unity within the congregation, joy, prayer, and the Christian outlook on life. Euodia and Syntyche need to reconcile their differences. Paul turns over everything to Christ, and even though he doesn't have earthly goods, he is rich: I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.
He closes the letter with greetings in the name of Christ.

Philippians 3

1 - 6 Paul begins his concluding remarks by warning against legalistic teaching. He states that Christians are the circumicision, or the outward sign of God's covenant with his people. "We . . . do not put our confidence in flesh."

7 - 21 Righteousness from God: "Whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ." Paul warns against putting store in earthly goals. Paul looks forward in Christ - "the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus." Paul invites the Philippians to imitate him, not the enemies of the cross of Christ (materialists). My favorite description: "Their God is their stomach; their glory in their "shame." Remember: "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body . . . "