Solomon Builds

Read 1 Kings 6-7
 
1 Kings 6:1 In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the temple of the Lord.
 
Verse 38 In the eleventh year (of Solomon’s reign) in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He had spent seven years building it.
 
1 Kings 7:1 It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace.
 
VERSE 1 is very important in the Old Testament timeline. A number of historical documents outside of the Bible have confirmed Solomon reigned from 971-931 BC. Thus, we know the exodus occurred in 1446 BC. This may seem irrelevant to the modern church, but it is very important. The historical accuracy helps us know God has moved through history with order and purpose. We can more easily defend our faith when we know facts of God’s activity in world events.
    This also helps us understand how the Jews date the birth of their nation. As we’ve mentioned at other times, the exodus is as the Christians’ Easter and Pentecost. Coming out of Egypt, Israel was born as a nation, and the exodus has influenced Israel’s entire history.
    Your Bible may have English standard measurements for the temple. It was 90 feet long, 30 feet wide and 45 feet high. We read of the careful ways Solomon designed and constructed God’s earthly “house” with God’s glory in mind. The inner sanctuary is made to be an appropriate room for the ark of the covenant to be placed and for the priests to approach God.
    Chapter 7 tells us Solomon’s palace was about 30% larger than the temple. Its design gave the palace about five times the floor space. Why was Solomon’s palace larger than God’s temple?
    The daily operations and responsibility of the king required extensive storage of such items as food and weapons. But it seems there is unnecessary building. Why would Solomon’s wife, for example, need a separate home? Perhaps Solomon believed all this would praise and glorify God. Perhaps he was satisfying the desires of his wife born into Egyptian royalty. Maybe he didn’t know what else to do with his extraordinary wealth (see more in Sunday’s lesson).
    God gifts many people with wealth. He does so that the wealth will be used to build God’s kingdom in physical and spiritual ways to glorify the Provider. That is our lesson here. How do we make use of God’s gifts?
 
Proverbs 17:16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?