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)
2 comments:
David had brought the Ark from the home of Obed-Edom (a Levite who cared for it) to Jerusalem. Solomon was now moving from its present location in the city to the temple.
4 They also brought the tabernacle and all the furnishings.
6-9 The priests placed the Ark between the huge cherubim statues. The carrying poles were so long that they stuck out into the next room.
10 After everything was in place and everyone left the Holy Place a cloud filled the entire temple (God's manifestation of Himself). He had done this upon completion of the tabernacle.
15-21 Solomon tells the people that God has kept His promise made to David. David wanted to build a temple and God was honored but said that his son would build it. This is similar to not allowing Moses to enter the promised land.
Solomon's prayer
Again, this prayer is a good model for us to use when we pray.
"O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below - you who keep your promises of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way." Notes say that no other god has acted in history as the God of Israel, performing great miracles and directing the course of events so that his long-range promises are fulfilled. He is still doing this and, to me, this proves that He is the LIVING God! It also reminds us of our responsibility to "continue wholeheartedly in His way". He must be THE motivation for everything we do and think! It's a shame we have to fight with this fallen world to do this.
27 Solomon is thankful that God has chosen him and Israel to work through but he realizes that God isn't "really" living in the temple for He can't be contained! He's bigger than all of creation!
30 When an Israelite couldn't pray in the temple they were supposed to pray in its direction.
31-32 Solomon asks God to judge when people come before him in the temple. Notes indicate that when there was a lack of evidence to prove guilt then the accused would come to the temple and take an oath of innocence which imbued blessings for truth and curses for lies. Evidence of the blessings or curses would prove divine judgement.
33-34 Solomon asked God to restore Israel after they've been defeated by enemies because they have sinned if they turn back to God and ask for forgiveness. He also refers to bringing prisoners home after capture.
35-40 Solomon continues to beg Gods forgiveness and restoration in case of sins which might bring on other curses. All of these show that Solomon remembers and respects the original covenant made with Moses. He asks that God hear them if they ask for forgiveness after sinning and bringing on some of these curses.
41-43 Solomon asks God to hear when a foreigner comes to the temple from another nation to pray because news of God's power and might has spread there and grant whatever he asks that all the world may know and fear Him.
44-45 He asks that God hear soldiers when they pray while away from home at war.
46-51 He asks that God hear and forgive them if they sin and are taken captive to an enemy but realize and repent.
53 Solomon opened the prayer asking God to remember his promise to David but closes the prayer remembering God's promise to Moses and how He should listen to their prayers because he chose them out of all the world as His people and brought them from Egypt to the land He gave them.
56-61 Solomon closes by turning to the people and praising God for keeping all his promises to them. "May the Lord be with us and never leave us or forsake us. May He turn our hearts to him to walk in His ways and keep His commands." Solomon realizes AS WE SHOULD that we can't keep God's commands and strive to be holy without His constant presence in our lives. Only God can restore us.
They then offered sacrifices and had a festival for 14 days.
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