April 18, 2024

After the temple's dedication to God, he visited Solomon in a dream again. Because Solomon had honored Him, He made the temple holy and promised to dwell there. God confirmed what he had told him before: he would honor His promise to his father, David, as long as the people continued to worship and follow Him. However, if they turned away to chase after other gods, He would cut them off, and others would see what they did and know that evil comes when God is forsaken. 

Solomon tried to pay Hiram by giving him several cities, but he didn't want them. Hiram's main business was shipping, and those cities were probably too far from the coast. Solomon would most likely have to find a different way to pay him. 

Solomon built many cities for different purposes, such as a place for his chariots, storage, and his horsemen. Much like these cities with their various uses and Hiram's desire to stay near the coast because of his shipping business, God uses us for our specific abilities and encourages us to concentrate on those areas of our lives that he has gifted us in. Improve your talents and giftings and use them to glorify God.  

And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion. 1 Kings 9:19