The Temple has been built and the Lord was faithful to fill it with His presence. Now Solomon dedicates and prays over this House of God. What a seismic moment in their history and ours. To speak into such a profound moment had to come from the Lord. No human, even the wisest one can do that without God's guidance.
Read moreI Kings 8: 1-11 and II Chronicles 5: 1-14 God’s Presence
Solomon has had the Temple built, started on his own palace, and had Huram the craftsman oversee the making of the holy implements and the decorating and furnishing of the inside of the Temple.
Now it's time for the formal dedication of the Temple.
...continue reading "I Kings 8: 1-11 and II Chronicles 5: 1-14 God’s Presence"I Kings 7 and II Chronicles 4
The Temple is built and Solomon has been (twice) reminded of the importance of his obedience. Now we learn about his palace and the furnishings in the Temple.
...continue reading "I Kings 7 and II Chronicles 4"I King 6 and II Chronicles 3
Solomon worked with Hiram for the final preparations for building the Temple. He also conscripted workers and levied taxes to pay for all of his building projects, creating the first cracks of resentment that will, ultimately, divide the nation.
...continue reading "I King 6 and II Chronicles 3"I Kings 5 and II Chronicles 2
The Temple
The focus of the author (Jeremiah) turns to the building of God's Holy Temple.
...continue reading "I Kings 5 and II Chronicles 2"I Kings 4 and II Chronicles 1
Solomon has now settled into his own and has been blessed by the Lord with many gifts.
...continue reading "I Kings 4 and II Chronicles 1"I Kings 3:16-28
In the first half of I Kings Chapter 3, Solomon asked for wisdom for leading his people and God granted him that, plus riches and honor. The Lord also offered Solomon a long life if Solomon could walk in the Lord's ways.
...continue reading "I Kings 3:16-28"I Kings 3:1-15
So, verse 1 doesn't get us off to a good start. Solomon goes and gets a wife in Egypt and forms an alliance with them. Then he brought her back to Jerusalem. Meanwhile he was working on his own house and the Temple.
...continue reading "I Kings 3:1-15"Intro to II Chronicles
The Chronicles cover the same period as the Kings, so I'll be reading them alongside one another. Oddly, they are together in the chronological bible, so I'll be using the Wiersbe commentary: Be Responsible as my reading guide.
...continue reading "Intro to II Chronicles"I Kings 2
When King David was old and weak, his oldest living son tried to steal the throne in Chapter 1; but was thwarted when David found out about it and accelerated Solomon's anointing. He moved Solomon directly to coregenting from the throne.
...continue reading "I Kings 2"