Walking with Giants and Gnats

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2 Adult Quarterly SUNDAY SCHOOL SPRING QUARTER, 2005 Walking with Giants and Gnats A Study in 1 Kings 3:1 22:53; 2 Chronicles 1:1 24:27; 2 Kings 1:1 13:25; Obadiah; Joel QUARTERLY AIM: God s glory should be seen in everything we do, for we represent Him to the world! MARCH 6 Solomon God s Man of Wisdom The Construction of the Temple The Dedication of the Temple The Fame and Shame of Solomon APRIL 3 Splendor to Splinter The Kingdom Divided Jeroboam and Asa A Contrast in Worship Elijah God s Prophet of Courage Ahab and Jezebel The Demonic Duo MAY 1 Elisha God s Prophet of Miracles Obadiah God s Prophet of Doom Jehu God s Man of Retribution Jehoiada God s Leader in Real Revival Joel God s Prophet of Judgment ADULT QUARTERLY, Sunday School, Vol. 92, No. 2, issued March 1, 2005, is published quarterly. Prepared by David Robinson; cover design by Jeff Allen; Larry E. Clements, Editor in Chief, <larryclements@abaptist.org>; Wayne Sewell, Business Manager, <wsewell@abaptist.org>. Copyright 2005, BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE of the American Baptist Association, 4605 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, TX

3 American Baptist Association Through-the-Bible Series Sunday School Lessons Winter Spring Summer Fall Galatians Luke 1 13:21 Isaiah Chronicles Kings Nahum Ephesians John , 2, 3 John Genesis 1 11 Job Exodus Joshua Judges Ruth Mark 1 Kings Chronicles Kings 1 13 Joel, Obadiah Luke 13:22 24 Isaiah Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Daniel Ezekiel Nehemiah Malachi Genesis Romans Acts Samuel Chronicles Kings 1, 2 1 Corinthians Hosea, Amos, Micah, Jonah, 2 Kings 14 16, 2 Chronicles Philemon Philippians Colossians Jeremiah 2 Kings 24, 25 2 Chronicles 36 1 Peter 2 Peter Jude Revelation 1 7 Matthew 1 13 Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Acts James 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon 2 Corinthians 2 Kings Chronicles Zephaniah Lamentations Habakkuk John 1 12 Zechariah Ezra Haggai, Esther Revelation 8 22 Matthew Hebrews 1 Samuel 2 Samuel Chronicles 1 10 Psalms

4 1 Solomon God s Man of Wisdom March 6, 2005 Text: 1 Kings 3:1 4:34; Focus: 1 Kings 3:4-15, 28; 4: Chronicles 1:1-17 Key Verse: And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. 1 Kings 4:29 Sunday Devotional: The Foundation of True Wisdom, Proverbs 1:7-9. Application: God s people should seek Him, fear Him and serve Him to be wise. A FIRST LOOK Today we begin a study of some of the kings, prophets and prominent men of Israel. These men had a great influence on the physical and spiritual world that was present when Jesus came. The time period of this study is from 1000 BC until 586 BC. Here are some important dates to keep in mind as we study this portion of the Old Testament: 1. About 1000 BC This was the beginning of the kingdom of Israel. Each of the first three kings, Saul, David and Solomon, ruled for forty years BC This date marked the destruction of the Northern Kingdom, also called Israel and Ephraim. Ephraim was the territory of the Northern Kingdom of Israel BC This was the captivity of the Southern Daily Devotionals M. Jesus Brings Wisdom, 1 Corinthians 1: T. The Source of True Wisdom, Proverbs 2:1-9. W. God Gives Wisdom to Those Who Ask, James 1:5-7. T. The Evidence of True Wisdom, James 3: F. David s Charge to His Son, Solomon, 1 Kings 2:1-12. S. Solomon Puts His House in Order, 1 Kings 2:

5 4 Solomon God s Man of Wisdom Kingdom, also called Judah. Judah was returned to the land seventy years later, in 516 BC. 4. The Old Testament was completed about 500 BC. This study begins with Solomon. It would be difficult to overestimate the influence Solomon had on this world. He literally set the pattern the kings of the earth would follow for centuries to come. His wealth and wisdom are still the envy of human governments. He was not a perfect man. In many ways he and his father, David, were opposites. Solomon had great wisdom, but little spirituality. David often made unwise decisions, but his heart was always after the heart of God. Note that the throne of Israel is referred to down through the ages as the throne of David, not the throne of Solomon. In the lesson today, we will learn how the kingdom of Solomon began. A CLOSER LOOK I. A Sacrifice 1 Kings 3:4 4. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt-offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. As the record of Solomon s reign begins, we read of two peculiar things. Solomon married the daughter of Pharaoh. Pharaoh is a title, not a person s name, and we are not even told the name of this woman. This marriage was one of political expediency, not one born of true love. In Exodus 34:10-16, God had warned his people about worshiping other gods and about marrying those who were idolaters. Solomon ignored this warning.

6 Text: 1 Kings 2:1 4:34; 2 Chronicles 1: The second thing Solomon did was to offer offerings from the high place in Gibeon. This sounds noble and good, but remember God had given a specific place and manner of making a sacrifice to Him. The priests and the Levites were in charge of making the actual offering, and the altar in the Tabernacle was the proper place for this kind of worship. It is a great and good thing to make a sacrifice to the Lord, but beyond the sacrifice is the heart of the person making it. Solomon s heart was not perfect with the Lord as was the heart of his father David (1 Kings 11: 4). It was noble to offer a thousand sacrifices, but it would have been much more beneficial to Solomon to offer his sacrifice as God had taught through His Word. II. A Promise 1 Kings 3: In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said,ask what I shall give thee. 6. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10. And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked

7 7 Solomon God s Man of Wisdom riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12. Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. In the Bible and in our lives everyday, God can and will use less than perfect people to accomplish His will. The nation of Israel was at a turning point. This nation could become an obscure footnote in history. No one beyond a few historians know much about the Girgasites or the Hittites or the Hivites. All were great nations at one time, but Israel was to wear the name of God and be the people of God down through the ages. If you would like one word that will prove the Bible beyond reasonable doubt, it is Israel. This nation has been preserved against all enemies because God s Word is true and His promises are intact. So God appeared to Solomon and asked Solomon a great and consequential question. God gave this man a blank check. He asked Solomon what gift he desired. To his credit, Solomon realized what he lacked in his life. He described himself as a little child. He had a daunting job to do, and he was ill prepared to do it. As a result, Solomon asked for understanding and judgment. This pleased God, and God granted Solomon his request. Note that Solomon did not ask for righteousness. God does not grant righteousness as a special request to a chosen few. Righteousness can only come through the shed blood of the Lamb of God. Solomon should have learned this through the sacrifices he made. The sacrifices of the Old Testament were given to point to the one great sacrifice Jesus would make for everyone. Solomon asked for the inner qualities that would always result in outward success. We often behold the externals of

8 Text: 1 Kings 2:1 4:34; 2 Chronicles 1: success and desire them, without every realizing it is the inner resource and strength that truly determines our success or failure in living. Again, note what Solomon did not request. He did not ask for long life. He did not ask for riches. He did not ask for his enemies to be killed. He asked for a wise and understanding heart, and God gave that to him. There is a great lesson here about prayer. When we pray within the will of God, we can be assured God will hear and answer our prayers, but, when we ask selfishly, we can be as sure our request will fall on deaf ears in Heaven. God is gracious. He not only gave Solomon what he requested, but He also gave Solomon riches and honor. Riches and honor are by-products of real wisdom. True wealth is never attained on this earth. Jesus taught this plainly in Matthew 6:19, 20, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. III. A Condition 1 Kings 3:14, 15, And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. 15. And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt-offerings, and offered peace-offerings, and made a feast to all his servants. 28. And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment. God s gift was absolute in the sense Solomon was granted wisdom, but Solomon s future was still in his own hands. He

9 9 Solomon God s Man of Wisdom still had choices to make, and those choices would have an impact on his well-being. God admonished Solomon to walk in God s way. This metaphor is often used in the Bible to illustrate a godly lifestyle. Walking is a simple, two-step process that enables us to get from one place to another. When we walk in God s way, we follow the teachings of His Word and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We adopt a life-style that is open and obedient to the will and way of God. Solomon possessed the worldly wisdom to make all the right choices, but he did not have the spiritual wisdom to walk in the ways of the Lord. The second condition of God for Solomon was to keep His statutes and commandments. The model for this was Solomon s father, David. We know David did not live a sinless life, and God was not expecting Solomon to live above sin, but God did expect Solomon to deal with his sin and to have a respect and love for the laws of God. Solomon failed these conditions by allowing his many wives to turn his heart from God. He became an idol worshiper. His heart was turned to other gods. Thus, he broke the first commandment to have no other gods before the one true God. This sin shut Solomon off from the only source of renewal and redemption, and so his great earthly wisdom was of no use when it came to spiritual matters. IV. A Great King 1 Kings 4: And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. 30. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31. For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.

10 Text: 1 Kings 2:1 4:34; 2 Chronicles 1: And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. 33. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. 34. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom. But Solomon did achieve great things as king of Israel. He set a pattern for every king who would follow him. Remarkably, this pattern of human government has held until relatively modern times. As late as the early twentieth century, much of the world was ruled by kings. In our time kings are relics of the past as God prepares the world for the soon coming of the great King, Jesus Christ. The kingdom of Solomon was in some ways a preview of the millennial kingdom of Jesus. Solomon was the one king who was above and beyond all others. His wisdom was recognized by all the other nations around him. He had an understanding of human nature as well as an understanding of the physical world. He accomplished things that had never been done before, and he did it in a time of peace. He made Israel prosperous beyond imagination. All of this was a direct result of God s granting Solomon s request. Solomon s prayer changed his life and changed our world. A FINAL WORD As we consider the wisdom of Solomon, we should keep in mind the great teaching of Jesus in Mark 8:36, For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? At the end of the day, we will find spiritual matters are far more important than anything physical.

11 11 Solomon God s Man of Wisdom Solomon s physical wisdom was unique, but every believer can have spiritual wisdom. We simply have to ask God for it (James 1: 5). We can then use that wisdom to make good and right choices in our every day lives. This will enable us to live in peace and harmony with the physical world as much as possible, and it will prepare us for eternity. The physical kingdom of Solomon, as grand as it was, has long ago passed from the earth, but the glory of Christ is yet to be revealed. The wise man will seek a part in the heavenly kingdom and the spiritual wisdom that can only come from above.

12 2 The Construction of the Temple March 13, 2005 Text: 1 Kings 5:1 7:51; 2 Chronicles Focus: 2 Chronicles 2:1, 3-5; 3:1-2:1 4:22 10; 4:1, 2, 6-8, Key Verse: And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods. 2 Chronicles 2:5 Sunday Devotional: Everything we do for God should be our best because it is for His glory, 1 Corinthians 10:31. Application: God s magnificent glory should be reflected in everything we do for Him and in His name. A FIRST LOOK Solomon did not use his great wisdom for selfish purposes. He realized Israel needed to establish a national identity. The Temple would serve this function for years to come. It would provide a place of worship and a home for the Ark of the Covenant. It would fulfill the desires of David for a house for the Lord, but it would also be a national monument that would make Jerusalem the capitol city of Israel for the ages. Note the actual building of the Temple began four years into Solomon s reign. The first three years were spent in planning this great endeavor. A wise man will plan before he acts. Note also Solomon built the house of God first and then turned his attention to building his own palace. 12 Daily Devotionals M. Helpers in the Temple Construction, 2 Chronicles 2:7-18. T. Reasons To Glorify God with Our Best, Psalm 96:1-10. W. Solomon s Preparation for Building the Temple, 1 Kings 5:1-18. T. The Unique Construction of the Temple, 1 Kings 6:1-10. F. God s Promise Concerning His House, 1 Kings 6: S. The Beauty of God s Temple, 1 Kings 6:21-38.

13 13 The Construction of the Temple The Temple took seven years to complete and Solomon s palace took another thirteen years. We live in a right-now world where we grow impatient if a project cannot be completed in a short time; yet, Solomon set out on a twenty year building program. As we examine the various aspects of this building, we observe the great wisdom Solomon employed as the leader of Israel. A wise man will always first determine the will and way of God. When we know what God wants us to do, we can then safely proceed. When we act in the will of God, we can be assured adequate provisions will always be there. Solomon s wisdom had made him respected and wealthy. King David had left him a fortune to use in this construction project and the work began (1 Chron. 22: 1-6). A CLOSER LOOK I. Planning and Provision 2 Chronicles. 2:1, And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom. 3. And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me. 4. Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt-offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. 5. And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods. A wise man will act deliberately. Solomon first determined in his own heart that he would build the Temple. He had been charged by his father to build the house, but he made

14 Text: 1 Kings 5:1 7:51; 2 Chronicles 2:1 4;22 14 the project his own. The house would be first of all for the Lord and for the worship of the Lord, but the house would also be for the kingdom of the Lord. Long after Solomon was gone, the Temple would remain as a symbol of the nation. Solomon was also wise enough to know he could not complete this project by himself. He realized a project so grand in scale would require skill and provision on an international scale. So Solomon sent to King Hiram of Tyre for assistance. Hiram had helped David build a palace, and Solomon was familiar with the craftsmanship and ability of the people of Tyre. Again, we see the wisdom of Solomon in seeking help from a man with a proven record. Solomon did not trust this project to a new helper. He wanted the best, and he sought help from the man who had built for his father. Note also there was a specific goal for the Temple. This was not a showplace. It was not built as a monument to a man. It was not a tomb like the pyramids of the pharaohs. This building was a place of worship. It was dedicated to the Lord and used to worship the Lord. God had prescribed in the Law of Moses the ways and times when Israel was to worship. The place of worship had been the Tabernacle. Now Israel had a stable kingdom, and Solomon desired to have a place where all the people of Israel could worship God through the ages. This building was to be a permanent place of worship. Note also this house was to be built in recognition of the greatness and reality of God. This was not another temple like the ones built to false Gods. This building was built in recognition of the fact the God of Israel was the only true God in all the universe. King Hiram agreed to help in the construction of the Temple. Hiram provided a man of great skill to be the overseer of the work. Solomon agreed to provide food for the workers. Note in verse 15 the food was not bread and water, but wheat, barley, oil and wine. Those who labored in this project had the best materials and the best provisions available.

15 15 The Construction of the Temple II. Construction of the Temple 2 Chronicles 3: Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. 2. And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign. 3. Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God.The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits. 4. And the porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty: and he overlaid it within with pure gold. 5. And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains. 6. And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim. 7. He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubims on the walls. 8. And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents. 9. And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold.and he overlaid the upper chambers with gold. 10. And in the most holy house he made two cherubims of image work, and overlaid them with gold. The location of the Temple had already been decided (1 Chron. 21: 18-28). The threshingfloor of Ornan was to be the site for the Temple. The plans for the Temple had all been completed, and we read these plans were elaborate. For instance, the Temple was to be preconstructed in Tyre and brought into Jerusalem for final assembly (1 Kings 6:7).

16 Text: 1 Kings 5:1 7:51; 2 Chronicles 2:1 4;22 16 As the building was actually assembled in Jerusalem, there were no hammers, axes or iron tools used in the building process. A literal army of men was employed in this project. There were 30,000 men from Israel who were sent to Lebanon by turns, 10,000 per month. They worked one month and then they were home for two months. Solomon had 70,000 men who were common laborers and 80,000 who were hewers in the mountains. In addition to this, there were 3,300 men who were superintendents. All this was coordinated by Hiram and Solomon (1 Kings 5: 13-18). This army of men worked for seven years to complete this project. The work began on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of Solomon s reign. The building was completed in the eighth month of the eleventh year of Solomon s reign. Solomon was not at liberty to determine the dimensions of the Temple. The plans had been drawn by King David (1 Chron. 28:11-13). The foundation for the Temple was built on Mount Moriah, specifically the threshingfloor of Ornan, which was north of what was then the city of David. Using the usually accepted standard of a biblical cubit, the Temple would have been ninety feet long, thirty feet wide and forty-five feet high. This is about twice the size of the Tabernacle. The interior of the Temple was divided into two rooms, one representing the Holy Place and the other smaller room representing the Holy of Holies. The interior was constructed of wood overlaid with gold. It was then ornamented with all sorts of precious stones. To look inside the Temple was to behold gold on every surface. This was a picture of the glory of the Lord that was to fill this place. Two cherubim were put into the Most Holy Place in addition to the two that were on the top of the Ark of the Covenant. This was a truly magnificent building that defies description. No expense was spared in its construction.

17 17 The Construction of the Temple III. Furnishings for the Temple 2 Chronicles 4:1, 2, 6-8, Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof. 2. Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. 6. He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt-offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in. 7. And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left. 8. He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basons of gold. 19. And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shewbread was set; 20. Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold; 21. And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold; 22. And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the house of the temple, were of gold. The Temple was not ornamental. It was to be used for the regular worship of the people of Israel, just as the Tabernacle had been used before it. Men came there to worship the Lord, not as sightseers. So Solomon also had furnishings built that were on as grand a scale as the Temple itself. In the outer court, visible to all were the brass altar and the great basin that held the

18 Text: 1 Kings 5:1 7:51; 2 Chronicles 2:1 4;22 18 water used for purification. The altar was ten cubits high so that everyone could see the offerings made on it. The sea was a large basin that represented the ability of God to cleanse from sin. There were also ten smaller lavers of brass where the ordinary washing took place. There were also furnishings that were as grand for the inner part of the house. This was normally only seen by the priests who ministered at the Temple. Inside, all the furnishings were gold. The closer we come to the Lord, the purer we become. One of the main features of these inner furnishings was the candlesticks, representing light, physically and spiritually. Even the common instruments such as the spoons and candlesnuffers were made of pure gold. These were special items, not the ordinary ones that could be borrowed from daily life. A FINAL WORD The Temple could have been built with lesser material and lesser expense and trouble. When one honestly examines the project, it would have been easy to cut costs. Remember Solomon was given great wisdom, and in his wisdom he realized this was not a place to try to save money, but to follow God s directive in doing the work. This building was built as a place for the worship of the God of the universe. The great lesson is that we should always offer God our best. We can reserve the very best for special occasions and for those we deem to be special people, but nothing we will ever do deserves more of our time, attention, money and talent than the service of the Lord. This is a matter of heart and attitude. When we put our hearts into the service of the Lord and our attitude is right, we will want to do our best and to give our best.

19 3 The Dedication of the Temple March 20, 2005 Text: 1 Kings 8:1 9:28; Focus: 1 Kings 8:3-6, 10, 11, 18-20, 22, 2 Chronicles 5:1 7:22 23, 33, 34, 46-51, 54-63, 66 Key Verse: That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. 1 Kings 8:60 Sunday Devotional: The Lord Is God Alone;There Is None Else, Isaiah 45: Application: The purpose of the Temple was for the world to know the Lord was God alone, and His people would walk in His ways.the purpose of churches today is for the same reason: that the world would know God, and His people would walk in His ways. A FIRST LOOK The purpose of the Temple was witness as much as it was worship. For seven years the world had witnessed the construction of this building. Now it was necessary for the world to see the purpose of this building. There were many buildings erected for the worship of false gods. There still are today, but the Temple was unique in that it actually housed the place where the glory of God appeared. This appearance at the dedication of the Temple was a sign from Heaven the worship in this place was accepted by God. As the kingdom of Solomon became the paradigm for other kingdoms on earth, so the Temple became the paradigm for places of 19 Daily Devotionals M. God s Second Appearance and Promise to Solomon, 1 Kings 9:1-9. T. The Worldwide Fame of Solomon, 1 Kings 9: W. Music, Priests, Praise and the Glory of God Fills the House, 2 Chronicles 5: T. Only God Knows Man s Heart, 2 Chronicles 6: F. The Fire Fell from Heaven with Divine Conformation, 2 Chronicles 7:1-11. S. God s Conditional Promise of Revival, 2 Chronicles 7:12-22.

20 Text: 1 Kings 8:1 9:28; 2 Chronicles 5:1 7;22 20 worship. Many of the places where men worship are loosely patterned on the Temple and on the Tabernacle before it, and this ceremony gives us a pattern for any service that dedicates a place of worship to the Lord. Remember what constitutes the real dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God dwells in the hearts of the people of God, not in buildings made of wood and stone. A CLOSER LOOK I. The Ark Is Brought into the Temple 1 Kings 8:3-6; 10, And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark. 4. 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 Levites bring up. 5. And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude. 6. And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place,evenunder the wings of the cherubims. 10. And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 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. The Temple was a grand sight to behold, but it was empty without the Ark of the Covenant inside. The crowning part of the work of building the Temple was bringing the Ark into the Temple and putting this building to its intended use.

21 21 The Dedication of the Temple We have previously seen the disaster that came when the Ark was moved improperly. Now Solomon used his wisdom and moved the Ark as God had instructed. The priests bore the Ark. Solomon was in charge of this service and the entire nation was either there or represented at this service. There were other activities taking place on this day, but they were set aside for this great occasion. The Temple would only be dedicated one time, and it was imperative those interested leave off other pursuits and attend this service. In some ways, every opportunity we have to serve the Lord is unique, and we will miss a blessing if we do not attend to our opportunities to serve whenever they occur. There were so many animal sacrifices made on this day they could not be counted. Surely, all those who saw this learned the great lesson that, without the shedding of blood, there could be no remission of sin. Note these sacrificial animals represented a great deal of wealth. They were worth a lot of money, but this was a special occasion, and no cost was spared to show reverence and respect to the Lord. The Temple was no ordinary place of worship and this was no ordinary service of dedication. When we come to the serve the Lord, should we ever offer the Lord less than our best? The Ark was brought into the Holy of Holies, and, when the priests had come out of the Holy Place, the Lord added His presence to the ceremonies. A cloud so filled the house even the priests had to stop the services for the glory of the moment. God honored this occasion by His presence, and He indicated His willingness to accept the worship of the people of Israel and to hear their prayers. II. Solomon s Message 1 Kings 8: And the LORD said unto David my father,whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

22 Text: 1 Kings 8:1 9:28; 2 Chronicles 5:1 7; Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name. 20. And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, 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. At a great event such as this, it is important to recount the history that led up to the moment. Solomon did so in a speech to the people. Notice Solomon did not try to sugar coat the truth in his message. He plainly stated the Temple was in the heart of David, but David was not permitted to build the house. This is a great lesson in putting the will of God ahead of the desires of men. When God shuts the door, we should not try to go through anyway. David would not build the Temple, but David s son, Solomon, would. God had kept the word given to David, and now the Temple was ready for use. To his credit, Solomon had been willing to make his father s project his own. Solomon realized this was a great work, even though he personally did not conceive it. He was willing to use his wisdom and resources to build what David had planned. We are servants, each with a job to do. Some, like David, can plan, and others, like Solomon, can build, but all are a part of the wonderful work of the Lord (1 Cor. 3:6-8). There is continuity in the work of the Lord when everyone involved is willing to do his part without complaining. III. Solomon s Prayer 1 Kings 8:22, 23, 33, 34, 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: 23. And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant

23 23 The Dedication of the Temple and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart: 33. When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house: 34. Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers. 46. If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near; 47. Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness; 48. And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: 49. Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause, 50. And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them: 51. For they be thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron: Having moved the Ark into the Temple and having reminded the people of the history that had brought them to this moment, Solomon now offered a public prayer in the presence of God and the assembly. The prayer began with a recognition of the empowering presence of God. The people of

24 Text: 1 Kings 8:1 9:28; 2 Chronicles 5:1 7;22 24 Israel were never a great nation because the people were great. Israel was great because they had a great God. God had sought Abraham, and God had walked with His people throughout all their history. Then there came a warning about the ongoing need for repentance. The Temple was to be a symbol of the relationship that existed between God and the people of Israel. Solomon recognized there would be times when Israel would not enjoy the blessings of God, but God had a remedy for such a situation. If the people would turn again to God and confess His name in the Temple, then God would hear in Heaven, forgive their sins and bless them once more. Repentance is a continuing theme in the Bible because it is a continuing need in the hearts of men. Then there was a message of return. Men are sinners. So there must be a process whereby sinners can return to a right relationship with God. Note our sin can never prevent God from keeping His promise to us, but it can separate us from fellowship with Him. The people were given a remedy for sin. They were to return to God with all their heart and pray earnestly God would hear them and forgive them, and God is gracious to hear and to forgive. The people of God would always be the people of God, no matter what. They might honor and reverence God, or they might despise Him, but the relationship would remain secure. IV. Solomon s Proclamation 1 Kings 8:54-63, And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. 55. And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, 56. Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed

25 25 The Dedication of the Temple one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. 57. The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: 58. That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers. 59. And 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 servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: 60. That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. 61. Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day. 62. And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before the LORD. 63. And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace-offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD. 66. On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people. This service then ended with a proclamation and testimony. All the congregation joined in with Solomon in this wonderful statement. These words speak for themselves and need little comment, but they echo the heartfelt sentiments of those who were present on this grand and wonderful occasion. The intent of this service was not self-glorification or congratulation. The purpose was for all the earth to know the Lord is God and for all men to walk in His statutes and keep His ordinances.

26 Text: 1 Kings 8:1 9:28; 2 Chronicles 5:1 7;22 26 A FINAL WORD When this grand occasion had come to an end, Solomon sent the people back to their lives. They returned to their homes with hearts full and happy. The service of the Lord is not designed to depress and disturb us. It is designed to uplift and enrich our hearts. When properly done, it will accomplish that purpose. This dedication ceremony was long, and it was expensive. It took the dedicated efforts of hundreds of people to bring it about, but no one regretted a moment they had given to it. Instead, their hearts were happy and glad because of the occasion.

27 4 The Fame and Shame of Solomon March 27, 2005 Text: 1 Kings 10:1 11:43; Focus: 1 Kings 10:1, 2, 6, 7, 24-27; 2 Chronicles 8:1 9:31 11:1-10 Key Verse: And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. 1 Kings 11:6 Sunday Devotional: God s Commands Concerning a King, Deuteronomy 17: Application: Beware of the temptation to forget God if fame and fortune come your way. A FIRST LOOK The lesson today is a study in contrasts. We see Solomon as a great king and we see the worldwide greatness of his kingdom, but then we also see his spiritual failure and the tragic end of his kingdom. When Solomon prayed to God at the beginning of his reign, Solomon asked for wisdom, not for righteousness. He became wise in the ways of the world, and, as a consequence of this wisdom, he became wealthy and powerful, but he never became righteous. His heart was not like the heart of David, his father. In the end it will be our standing before God that is the most important thing about our lives. Whether we are wealthy or poor, 27 Daily Devotionals M. The Splendor of Solomon s Kingdom, 2 Chronicles 8:1-8. T. Solomon s Visit by the Queen of Sheba, 2 Chronicles 9:1-12. W. The Wealth of Solomon s Kingdom, 2 Chronicles 9: T. The Chastisement of God upon Solomon and His Kingdom, 1 Kings 11: F. The Introduction of Jeroboam and Prophecy of Ahijah, 1 Kings 11: S. The Death of Solomon, 1 Kings 11:41-43; 2 Chronicles 9:29-31.

28 Text: 1 Kings 10:1 11:43; 2 Chronicles 8:1 9:31 28 whether we are powerful or weak, whether all men flock to us or all men run from us will not matter at all. Our relationship with God will matter throughout all eternity. In earthly wisdom, Solomon was without equal, but in spiritual righteousness, he failed miserably. Being talented in one area of life will not necessarily translate into being right in all others. A CLOSER LOOK I. A Visit from a Queen 1 Kings 10:1, 2, 6, 7 1. And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions. 2. And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. 6. And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. 7. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. The visit of the Queen of Sheba became a well-known part of the rule of Solomon. Jesus even mentioned it in Matthew 12:42. There are many theories about where this queen came from, but all the Bible tells us is she was from Sheba and this was south of Israel. She had heard of the fame of Solomon. Perhaps this was through the travels of the navy Solomon shared with Hiram of Tyre. She did not come to Solomon seeking an alliance with him or seeking any aid from him. Today the leaders of great nations seldom meet unless one wants something from

29 29 The Fame and Shame of Solomon the other, but this meeting was not diplomatic. This queen came seeking to know whether Solomon was as wise and knowledgeable as his reputation declared him to be. The queen did not come empty-handed. She brought a great entourage with many animals and a great weight of gold. She had spices and precious jewels and we can certainly suppose that she also was accompanied by an army sufficient to guard this treasure and the queen herself. This was a magnificent, history making, procession. This queen had come to hear the wisdom of Solomon and to improve her own ability to govern her people. The beginning of wisdom is to realize what you do not know and then learn from those who possess such knowledge. This queen observed Solomon, learned from him and then concluded the wisdom of Solomon far exceeded her expectations. This queen had an idea of what Solomon s wisdom might entail, but, when she was actually confronted with it, she declared it was far beyond her expectations. The fame of Solomon was not half of the reality. The queen had heard of the wisdom of Solomon, and she had not believed what she heard. She may have come expecting to be able to show Solomon up. We can speculate she came to show that her wisdom and kingdom were superior to Israel. We do not know for sure, but we do know the wisdom and fame of Solomon was far beyond what this queen had heard. It is wonderful when reality exceeds expectations. This is always true with the work of the Lord. However grand we might imagine Heaven to be, we are wrong because it is better than that. The kingdom of Solomon was a work of the Lord, and God was showing the whole world how grand and glorious a kingdom could be. II.The Glory of the Kingdom 1 Kings 10: And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

30 Text: 1 Kings 10:1 11:43; 2 Chronicles 8:1 9: And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. 26. And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem. 27. And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance. The Queen of Sheba was not alone in coming to Solomon. The other rulers of the earth also sought his wisdom. Indeed the books that Solomon wrote still stand today as examples of the best wisdom available to mankind. You would do well to read the book of Proverbs on a regular basis. This wisdom spans the years and still applies to everyday situations. The kings of the earth did not come empty-handed. They brought gifts and an abundance that made Jerusalem a wealthy place. Solomon did not hoard his wealth; instead, he used it to create beautiful things in Jerusalem, and he spread the wealth out among the people of the land. Gold became common in the city, and silver was like a stone. That is, it was as ordinary to see a piece of silver as it was to see a rock on the ground. Solomon did not fight any wars, but he did have an army to guard his country. He had this army dispersed throughout the land and he used it to keep order in his kingdom. The army also served as a deterrent to those who might try to take his kingdom by force. We see the wisdom of Solomon here. The presence of a mighty army, armed with chariots and stationed throughout the land and ready to fight on a moment s notice, is a way to guarantee that the army will never need to be used. Solomon spent twenty years in his building projects. He spared no expense in building the Temple or in building his own palace. There were people who worked all their lives and then retired from these projects. The workers on the

31 31 The Fame and Shame of Solomon Temple project worked one month on the job and then they were off two months. They were well paid and they spent their money. This plan, along with the continual influx of gold and silver into Jerusalem, made for a prosperous nation. Solomon also engaged in commerce with Hiram of Tyre. The two formed a navy and their ships sailed all over the world. These ships brought many things to Jerusalem that were present only in the far corners of the earth. For instance, Solomon imported exotic animals to Israel. Read the account in the Text verses of Solomon s kingdom. The picture painted is that of a man who made his nation prosperous beyond belief and of a man who had access to the best that the world could produce. In many ways, the kingdom of Solomon was a pinnacle that has never again been reached in human government. It was a time of peace and prosperity, but in spite of the great physical wealth, it was also a time of spiritual and moral failure. III. Spiritual Failure 1 Kings 11: But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; 2. Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel,Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. 3. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. 4. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.