April 20, 2024

It’s easy to get caught up in the glamorous life of others, but it isn’t a good idea because humans will disappoint, and King Solomon became one of those disappointments. As soon as I read the heading for 1 Kings 11, I knew Solomon’s reign was over. It said, “Solomon turns away from the Lord.” Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines; that’s 1000 women! These women couldn’t have been anything more than gold diggers (believe me, he had plenty of gold!) because it would have been impossible for one man to have shared quality time in a loving way with so many. Many of these women were from countries God had warned Israel not to mingle with. The worst part is that these women drew him away from God to begin worshipping their idols and fake gods. These gods are not like the material things we call idols today, but the enemy made them believe human sacrifices were necessary, and Solomon fell under that spell and built temples for those gods. His children paid the price for what he did because, after his death, God handed the kingdom of Israel, with its eleven tribes, over to Jeroboam, leaving only one tribe for the children of King David. Solomon tried to have Jeroboam killed, but he escaped to Egypt until Solomon died. Solomon’s son Rehoboam took over Judah in Jerusalem. I left out a lot of details in this summary, so if you have time, it’s an interesting read. 

The main point is to keep your eyes on the one true God. He is the only one who can help you in times of need. Keep worshipping God, and He will reward you for your faithfulness. 

For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 1 Kings 11:4

April 19, 2024

The Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon and brought camels loaded with spices, gold, and precious stones. The queen had heard rumors of all God had done for Solomon and his great wisdom and wanted to see if the rumors were true. She found out that what she heard paled in comparison to what she witnessed. Solomon told her everything she asked about, holding nothing back. 

Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. 1 Kings 10:9

I found the previous verse to be very interesting because she admired him for his judgments and justice and understood that God loved Israel, which is why He had placed Solomon on the throne. Solomon was a great king, that was wealthy and powerful, but think about Jesus and how much greater he is than Solomon. 

Reflecting on the story of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, we can draw parallels to our current situation. The leadership of the United States, in its ruthlessness and carelessness, echoes the need for a just and fair ruler. Could it be that God has allowed such leadership to make us yearn for our true King, Jesus, and his righteous judgments? The day will come when they will be held accountable for their actions. Come, Lord Jesus; we await your return.

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 

April 17, 2024

The temple was complete and ready to receive the Ark of the Covenant and all the ceremonial vessels, so Solomon had them bring it out of Zion, the City of David, into the temple. According to my commentary, the Ark wasn't brought up until a year after the temple was finished, which happened to be a jubilee year. All the people gathered for a great feast and the Ark's dedication to the Lord. They sacrificed an untold number of sheep and oxen and placed the Ark under the cherubim's wings. At that point, the only thing in the Ark was the two stone tablets. What happened to Aaron's rod and the pot of manna? Did the person die when they touched the Ark to take them out? They may have been dumped out or removed when the Philistines had it. Whatever the case, they were not in the Ark when the temple was dedicated. 

Solomon blessed the Lord and prayed a prayer of dedication. Have you ever wondered why Daniel prayed toward the temple when he was in captivity? He did that because Solomon prayed that God would hear their prayers if they would look toward the temple when they prayed; it came from this prayer. 

That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place. 1 Kings 8:29

Solomon blessed the people and made an offering of peace to the Lord. Because there were so many sacrifices, the altar wasn't big enough to hold them all, so Solomon used the court. 

My prayers seem so inadequate compared to how Solomon honored God. When you read all they did for Him, what we do for him on a daily basis is so insignificant. We must remember that Jesus is enough, but still, we should do better in our praise and worship. Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Give Him the respect He deserves.

April 16, 2024

After Solomon completed the temple, he built his palace. From the description, it seemed extraordinary, full of windows and light. I’m an outdoorsy girl and love windows that bring the light from outside indoors, so I understand Solomon’s desire to have many windows. Even though 1 Kings 7 is mainly about the details of Solomon’s house and the making of the brass items for the temple, the most fitting lesson is the order. Solomon took less than a year to complete the temple in honor of God, but his own home took thirteen years! He completed his work on God’s house promptly, but his house was less important, so he took his time. Solomon put God first! If you think about your conversion to Christ, we welcomed him into our broken-down temple, and he began the building-up process and completed a good work within us. 

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6

Imagine our body as the temple for the Holy Spirit of God, then realize that it also houses our entire being. It is more important that we bring light into our beings and build up the spirit within us because, eventually, our bodies will give out, and all that will be left is our spirit that the Holy Spirit enlightens. I’m all for taking care of our body, but no matter how good you are at exercise and nutrition, one day, the only thing left is what you build with the Holy Spirit. Put God first by building your relationship with him; then, the rest will fall into place like it did for Solomon.  

So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD. 1 Kings 7:51

April 15, 2024

Solomon ordered all the parts for the temple to the exact measurements, so nothing was built on site, and no hammer or axe was heard during the building process. Can you imagine how perfect those materials had to be? Only God could pull off something like that. 

And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building. 1 Kings 6:7

Wood covered the stone, inner walls, and floors on the inside. It had detailed carvings of flowers and palm trees; everything was covered in gold. It must have been magnificent! The outside was probably somewhat ordinary, but the inside was extravagant. I can't help but compare the building of God's temple to us; we are somewhat ordinary on the outside, but because of Jesus, our interior is lined with gold. That simple idea makes me feel unworthy, yet He calls me worthy. 

The most crucial portion of this chapter of scripture is that God told Solomon that if he followed His statutes, obeyed His commands, and made fair judgments, then He would perform His word within him and dwell among them and not forsake the people. 

Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel. 1 Kings 6:12-13

Let us not overlook the scripture's message: we have a crucial role in maintaining the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It's not a daunting task! By staying repentant, we can ensure that the Holy Spirit is evident within us, guiding our actions and thoughts.

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

April 14, 2024

Solomon began working on the temple for God that David had designed. Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent his servants to Solomon because he had heard that David had passed away and he had been anointed king. Solomon sent word back to Hiram to make a deal with him for timber, the cedars of Lebanon. The Sidonians were experts in working with timber, and he needed their help. Hiram supplied the trees and wood, and Solomon paid Hiram's workers and sent food to his household. The two countries worked together to cut timber and hew stones for the foundation to get the temple started. Hiram moved the logs through the sea, floating them to Israel. 

Israel grew wheat and corn, harvested olives, and made oil, and Tyre was good at cutting trees and moving them. You can see that they didn't try to do everything themselves but divided the work according to their skills and hired the appropriate people. God has given us certain gifts that allow us to work together to complete the assignment He has given us. For this reason, we must be connected with The Church so that God can use our skills to fulfill His purpose if the need arises. We are Christ's body, and it takes all of us to accomplish kingdom work. 

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 1 Corinthians 12:27

And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house. 1 Kings 5:18