The King set his house in order (1 Kings 4)
The chapter is
dedicated to the organization of Solomon’s realm under various heads, many of whom showed up in earlier texts.
Zadok was the new high
priest after Abiathar was retired, although there seems to have been a
transferal period as Abiathar was still recognized as a priest.
Benaiah became head of
the “host”, the King’s Army, after Joab was executed, but Azariah became his
chief of staff. Both were sons of Zadok.
Abishar, Joab’s
brother, who like the other two had been loyal to David and Solomon, was
appointed over his household.
Twelve officers, in
rotation through the year, provided the king’s victuals.
Verse 20 made the
first distinction between Israel and Judah, the king’s tribe and the mightiest
of all the tribes – 60% of the King’s army was from that tribe. It would in future emerge as the head of the Southern Kingdom, following the cessation of Israel.
Solomon’s reign
extended from the river up to the coastal regions of the Philistines, but
otherwise down south to the border of Egypt from whence he received his daily
tributes.
His army was
substantial and he had stabling for 40,000 horses and chariots. The stables no longer stand, as such, but an area below ground is now used as a
Muslim prayer hall.
He wrote 3,000
proverbs and 1,005 songs in his lifetime.
The building of the temple was conceived at last
(1 Kings 5)
Nothing would center
the nation more than the long overdue construction of the first temple. To
achieve the massive undertaking, Solomon made a treaty with Hiram, king of Tyre
(modern day Lebanon).
In return for the vast
cedars of Lebanon, Solomon would send flour and pure oil. Both would be conveyed by sea,
using barges. Hiram was delighted to share in the project after having befriended David during his years of exile.
The king also sent 10,000
men per month on a 3 month rotation, to assist the Sidonians with the hewing
and preparation of the timbers.
Hiram’s builders also
hewed stone and transported them to Israel. The king appointed
3,000 leaders over the various work details.
The building commenced (1 Kings 6)
In the 4th
year of his reign and the 480th year since Israel entered Canaan, the
building of Solomon’s temple began.
The temple compound
was planned to be 60 cubits long (90 feet or 27 meters), 20 cubits wide (30
feet or 9 meters) and 30 cubits high (45 feet or 14 meters). It was a big
building, immense for its era.
The temple itself was 40 cubits long (60 feet).
The further details
are best shown with images.
Notably, all the work was done offsite, with only fitting and assembly being done
onsite. Thus no metal, hammer or chisel was used on the mount. That was consistent with God's instruction to Moses regarding the tabernacle.
Inside, the building
was built with cedar wood overlaid with fir, which was then overlaid with gold.
The cherubs inside the holiest place or oracle, were made of cedar wood
and stood 10 cubits or about 15 feet high. They too were overlaid with gold and
their wing-tips touched.
The floor was also covered in gold. The doors repeated the cherub theme
with carvings on each door.
It took seven years to build. The
structure would stand as one of the great wonders of its age – a truly
remarkable and very precious building, built with loving care.
Even so, Solomon’s own house took 13 years to build, mainly because of its complexity. However, it says much about
how the man’s heart had started to turn, corrupted by his wealth and power.
(c) Peter Missing @ bethelstone.com
Images: www.thephiladelphiafaith.org and Logos Bible Software
