May 13 – Solomon Builds the Temple

Reading

  • 1 Kings 5:1-9; 2 Chron. 2:1, 3-16
  • 1 Kings 5:10-18; 2 Chron. 2:2, 17-18
  • 1 Kings 6:1; 2 Chron. 3:1-2
  • 1 Kings 6:11-13, 2
  • 1 Kings 6:9b, 18; 2 Chron. 3:5-7a
  • 1 Kings 6:7
  • 2 Chron. 3:4
  • 1 Kings 6:4-6, 8, 10; 2 Chron. 3:9b
  • 1 Kings 6:16-17, 19-22; 2 Chron. 3:8-9a
  • 1 Kings 6:23-28; 2 Chron. 3:10-14
  • 1 Kings 6:15, 29-35, 37-38; 7:13-22
  • 2 Chron. 4:1-5, 10, 6c
  • 1 Kings 7:27-39a; 2 Chron. 4:6a-6b
  • 1 Kings 6:36; 2 Chron. 4:9
  • 1 Kings 7:40-50; 2 Chron. 4:7-8, 19-22
  • 1 Kings 7:51
  • 2 Chron. 8:12-16

Devotional

In the fourth year of Solomon’s reign (418 years after the Israelites left Egypt) he began building the temple for the name of the LORD. He acquired the cedar from the king of Tyre. Solomon built the temple exactly as David had designed it. The temple was about 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high. The inside layout of the temple was patterned after the design of the tabernacle, with a Most Holy Place in the back that was separated by the veil, as GOD had instructed Moses.

As big as the temple was, Solomon knew that GOD is too large too be contained in a building. Solomon said:

5 And the temple which I build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. 6 But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?
(2 Chron. 2:5-6 NKJV)

Solomon recognized that the purpose of the temple was to be a sign to people of the greatness of the GOD of Israel, and that although GOD dwelt there, He would never be contained by that “small” structure.

When Solomon began the work, GOD spoke this promise to him:

11 Then the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying: 12Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgments, keep all My commandments, and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you, which I spoke to your father David. 13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.”
(1 Kings 6:11-13 NKJV)
 
The building was so beautiful, with much of the inside overlaid in gold. After 7 years and 6 months the work was finished. Solomon placed all of the dedicated treasures of David into the temple treasury, and setup all of the sacrifices in accordance with the Law of Moses. So the temple of the LORD was finished.

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