We come now to Solomon's middle years.
One of the greatest achievements of Solomon’s reign was the building of the Temple, Solomon’s Temple. It occupied the middle years of his life. Way back in Moses’ time God had instructed his people how to create a House of God where the True God was to be worshipped and where the glories of heaven and the beauties of salvation might be displayed. Until David’s time this Tabernacle or tent had served but Solomon’s father had the vision to see a more permanent structure. Although more than willing to undertake the task, David was told that it was not to be him but his son who would do it. The Temple in Jerusalem was to be not only a source of good theology but also a means of emphasising the unity of God’s people – many tribes with one centre of worship.
We have a full account of the building of the Temple in 1 Kings 5-9. There is a parallel account in 2 Chronicles 2-7. Here we focus mainly on 1 Kings 5 but keeping 2 Chronicles 2 in mind.
Ralph Davis notes how ‘even stalwart biblical readers begin to waver when they get to 1 Kings 5.’ Three chapters on Temple construction are difficult to be excited about. It is not easy at first to see how they can help us. There is a way through, however, with God’s help. We need first to say two preliminary things about 1 Kings 5-9.
We have a full account of the building of the Temple in 1 Kings 5-9. There is a parallel account in 2 Chronicles 2-7. Here we focus mainly on 1 Kings 5 but keeping 2 Chronicles 2 in mind.
Ralph Davis notes how ‘even stalwart biblical readers begin to waver when they get to 1 Kings 5.’ Three chapters on Temple construction are difficult to be excited about. It is not easy at first to see how they can help us. There is a way through, however, with God’s help. We need first to say two preliminary things about 1 Kings 5-9.
Comparable accounts
Apparently other ancient documents from the period have been found describing similar building projects. Parallels have been noted between the way that these accounts and those found in Scripture are structured. For example, acquisition of materials follows the decision to build, which itself is followed by the actual building and furnishing. Finally, there is the dedication, prayer and divine blessing of the king. This fact serves to reassure us that this is a coherent, orderly block of material despite what some scholars suggest.
Apparently other ancient documents from the period have been found describing similar building projects. Parallels have been noted between the way that these accounts and those found in Scripture are structured. For example, acquisition of materials follows the decision to build, which itself is followed by the actual building and furnishing. Finally, there is the dedication, prayer and divine blessing of the king. This fact serves to reassure us that this is a coherent, orderly block of material despite what some scholars suggest.
Archaeology
Various factors mean that it is almost impossible to gain physical archaeological evidence for Solomon’s Temple - its structure and look. Factors include
1. Its eventual destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in c 587 BC.
2. The two successive temples later built on the site – one after the return of the exiles and Herod’s Temple, built between 20 BC and 46 AD. These greatly altered the plan of Solomon’s original Temple.
3. The tense religious and political situation regarding the site, making archaeological work almost impossible.
However, what has been discovered about other structures from the same period confirms that what we read about the Temple here is everything that we might expect. All the various descriptions that we have in Scripture can be matched with examples from other projects from a similar period. This leads one authority at least to note that the biblical accounts ‘would appear to be based on early, authentic eyewitness accounts.’
We want to say three things about preparations for the temple. First,
Various factors mean that it is almost impossible to gain physical archaeological evidence for Solomon’s Temple - its structure and look. Factors include
1. Its eventual destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in c 587 BC.
2. The two successive temples later built on the site – one after the return of the exiles and Herod’s Temple, built between 20 BC and 46 AD. These greatly altered the plan of Solomon’s original Temple.
3. The tense religious and political situation regarding the site, making archaeological work almost impossible.
However, what has been discovered about other structures from the same period confirms that what we read about the Temple here is everything that we might expect. All the various descriptions that we have in Scripture can be matched with examples from other projects from a similar period. This leads one authority at least to note that the biblical accounts ‘would appear to be based on early, authentic eyewitness accounts.’
We want to say three things about preparations for the temple. First,
Corroborating God’s promises - act on his promises
In 1 Kings 4:34 we read that
Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.
5:1 goes on to give an example of one of the kings who heard of Solomon’s wisdom and sent his messengers – Hiram, King of Tyre, just to the north of Israel, where the forests of Lebanon are found. Hiram ruled over Tyre around 969-936 BC.
When Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king to succeed his father David, he sent his envoys to Solomon, because he had always been on friendly terms with David.
Solomon sent back a message, which is found in 5:3-6. As Ralph Davis says, it contains theology and an order for lumber! Israel was God’s chosen nation but there was not enough timber or stone of the right quality or the skilled workmen to complete this project within her borders and so Solomon turned to his neighbour.
In 2 Chronicles 2:5, 6 we read that Solomon said to Hiram
The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?
In 1 Kings, Solomon reminds Hiram that
because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put his enemies under his feet.
He then says ‘But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster’ (Solomon is his name remember – ‘Peace’)
I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God … then note these significant words, as the LORD told my father David, when he said, Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.
There is evidence for other monarchs of this period entering on similar building projects to enhance their prestige but this was not like that. This was not some whim of Solomon’s or an idea that had simply been put into his mind by his father. His building of the Temple fulfilled the promise of God. This was what was driving the whole project. God was behind it.
This is what prompted Solomon to say to Hiram (6)
So give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no-one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians.
Sidon is next to Tyre. The word is being used here as a general one for the Phoenicians.
Solomon’s sense of authority and urgency springs from his belief in the promise of God. God promised and he set about doing. God said it, I believe it – that is his attitude. Is that how we react to the promises of God’s Word? That should be the order. We must believe the promises in God’s Word and act on them.
God says, for example, that he 'so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life'. Do you believe that? Are you living your life on the basis of it? Jesus says to believers ‘never will I leave you or forsake you’. Again, do you believe that and are you acting on that truth? When he says that those who honour him, he will honour, do you believe it? (see 1 Sam 2:30). Other great promises can be found in Isa 43:2; Acts 2:38, 39; Jas 1:12.
We can think of the whole Bible as a book full of God’s ‘very great and precious promises’ (1 Pet 1:4), cast-iron guarantees from him. C H Spurgeon used to speak of it as the chequebook of the bank of faith – all ready signed, we simply have to fill in the amount. We used to sing a hymn when I was a boy - ‘Standing on the promises of God’ – are you standing on the promises? John Bunyan famously pictured the promises as the steps out of the slough of despond.
We must not forget either that Solomon is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ and so when we think of King Solomon as the builder of God’s House of stone and gold, we ought also to think of King Jesus the Builder who is over the house and uses ‘living stones’, to build ‘a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through’ him. All that he has done and is doing is in fulfilment of the promises of God in his Word. He is our model indeed as far as believing the promises and acting on them is concerned.
In 1 Kings 4:34 we read that
Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.
5:1 goes on to give an example of one of the kings who heard of Solomon’s wisdom and sent his messengers – Hiram, King of Tyre, just to the north of Israel, where the forests of Lebanon are found. Hiram ruled over Tyre around 969-936 BC.
When Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king to succeed his father David, he sent his envoys to Solomon, because he had always been on friendly terms with David.
Solomon sent back a message, which is found in 5:3-6. As Ralph Davis says, it contains theology and an order for lumber! Israel was God’s chosen nation but there was not enough timber or stone of the right quality or the skilled workmen to complete this project within her borders and so Solomon turned to his neighbour.
In 2 Chronicles 2:5, 6 we read that Solomon said to Hiram
The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?
In 1 Kings, Solomon reminds Hiram that
because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put his enemies under his feet.
He then says ‘But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster’ (Solomon is his name remember – ‘Peace’)
I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God … then note these significant words, as the LORD told my father David, when he said, Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.
There is evidence for other monarchs of this period entering on similar building projects to enhance their prestige but this was not like that. This was not some whim of Solomon’s or an idea that had simply been put into his mind by his father. His building of the Temple fulfilled the promise of God. This was what was driving the whole project. God was behind it.
This is what prompted Solomon to say to Hiram (6)
So give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no-one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians.
Sidon is next to Tyre. The word is being used here as a general one for the Phoenicians.
Solomon’s sense of authority and urgency springs from his belief in the promise of God. God promised and he set about doing. God said it, I believe it – that is his attitude. Is that how we react to the promises of God’s Word? That should be the order. We must believe the promises in God’s Word and act on them.
God says, for example, that he 'so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life'. Do you believe that? Are you living your life on the basis of it? Jesus says to believers ‘never will I leave you or forsake you’. Again, do you believe that and are you acting on that truth? When he says that those who honour him, he will honour, do you believe it? (see 1 Sam 2:30). Other great promises can be found in Isa 43:2; Acts 2:38, 39; Jas 1:12.
We can think of the whole Bible as a book full of God’s ‘very great and precious promises’ (1 Pet 1:4), cast-iron guarantees from him. C H Spurgeon used to speak of it as the chequebook of the bank of faith – all ready signed, we simply have to fill in the amount. We used to sing a hymn when I was a boy - ‘Standing on the promises of God’ – are you standing on the promises? John Bunyan famously pictured the promises as the steps out of the slough of despond.
We must not forget either that Solomon is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ and so when we think of King Solomon as the builder of God’s House of stone and gold, we ought also to think of King Jesus the Builder who is over the house and uses ‘living stones’, to build ‘a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through’ him. All that he has done and is doing is in fulfilment of the promises of God in his Word. He is our model indeed as far as believing the promises and acting on them is concerned.
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