This week we continue an overview of Solomon’s reign over Israel. Chapter 4 details the specifics of the temple and the important articles created for it. In the middle of the chapter a name is thrown into the descriptions: Huram-abi. Solomon is credited for the building of the temple, but God records the specific man gifted in the actual creation of many of the articles. “So at last Huram-abi completed everything King Solomon had assigned him to make for the temple of God” (2 Chronicles 4:11). I love it when God inserts the name of a specific person in the narrative. It is like He is highlighting an individual that might be obscure in the overall story, but something about that person merited mentioning.
In chapter 5 the temple is completed. Can you imagine the emotions? The building of the temple was a huge project spanning 20 years to build (chapter 8: vs. 1). This did not include the years David spent preparing plans and gifts to hand down to Solomon. The time had finally come for the temple’s dedication. Solomon brings all the gifts his father David dedicated for the temple and summons all the elders and heads of tribes. The Ark of the Covenant is brought to the temple. The event is a celebration of enormous proportions that lasts two weeks between the dedication of the altar and the Festival of Shelters. The sacrifices of sheep, goats, and cattle were so numerous that no one could count them. At the end of the chapter, the glorious presence of the Lord fills the temple. The presence was so overwhelming that the priests could not continue their activities.
In chapter 6, Solomon’s prayer is recorded. Solomon’s prayer is rich in specifics, but what struck me most occurs in verse 13. Solomon is standing on a platform in front of the entire community of Israel. Solomon kneels before the Lord in front of the entire community – lifting his hands in prayer to God. Here, the king of Israel, in total humility, bows before the Lord in front of all his subjects. This speaks so much to his heart at the time of dedication. His prayer petitions God for the current people of Israel and includes many scenarios for the future. It is interesting to note that each scenario Solomon includes do occur in the future.
In chapter 7 Solomon finishes praying—and fire flashes from heaven and burns up all the sacrifices. The presence of God is so thick that all the people of Israel fall on their faces before the Lord and worship. Sometimes it is so easy to read something and not think through what we have read. So, for a moment, let’s translate this to our present lives. Can you imagine being in a church service where there is a dynamic physical manifestation of God as powerful as fire falling from heaven and a thick smoke entering the room? The only response would be to fall on our faces and worship. It would be an experience we would remember with clarity for the rest of our lives!
Chapter 8 and 9 conclude with an overview of the remainder of Solomon’s rein. We are given details of Solomon’s wealth, which was so renown in his day that the queen of Sheba traveled to see if the accounts of his wealth and wisdom were true. She concludes after meeting with Solomon that what she heard did not adequately describe Solomon’s wealth and wisdom. The last chapter ends with Solomon’s death. He had reigned for a total of 40 years and his son Rehoboam becomes king.
We will begin next week’s reading with his story.
