SOLOMON EXPANDS HIS KINGDOM

PROCLAMATION

“The cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.  And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah, and prevailed against it.  And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities which he built in Hamath.  Also he built Beth-horon … and Baalath … and the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen …” 2 Chronicles 8:2-8 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  Chapter eight documents Solomon’s expansion of his kingdom.  King Solomon spent the first twenty years of his reign building the house of The Lord and his own house.  Then he built up the surrounding cities for the children of Israel to dwell there.  He then went to war with Hamath-zobah, prevailed against it, and took the land and developed it as his own as store cities. (2 Chronicles 8:1-4)  Solomon also built the walled cities of upper and lower Beth-horon.  He also built additional store cities, and chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen.  He built up Jerusalem and Lebanon and all the cities throughout his kingdom. (2 Chronicles 8:5-6)  For laborers to complete all of this building, Solomon used the children of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites which the children of Israel had conquered but did not drive out of the land.  But the children of Israel were not servants or workers.  Solomon made them men of war, captains, and chiefs, and officers in his army and over the people. (2 Chronicles 8:7-10)  King Solomon married the daughter of Pharaoh and built a house for her so that she would not have to stay in the holy house of David where the ark of The Lord had been. (2 Chronicles 8:11)  Solomon continued to worship The Lord and he made sure that the people worshiped according to the commandments of Moses.  He appointed priests to their service and the Levites to their charges so that there was daily praise and ministry. (2 Chronicles 8:12-16)  Solomon also developed a fleet of ships which brought him jewels, and precious metals, and spices, and wood.  The sailors of his ships were sent to him by Hiram, the king of Tyre. (2 Chronicles 8:17-18)

 

APPLICATION

Sometimes we pray and ask The Lord God to bless us with more.  It is not that we do not have or lack, we just want more.  We pray as Jabez prayed, “… bless me and enlarge my territory …” (1 Chronicles 4:10)  However, we need to be careful regarding what we pray for because God may grant our request, and it may be more than we can handle.  Pray for God’s guidance.

 

THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE

PROCLAMATION

“Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before The Lord.  And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep; so the king and all the people dedicated the house of The God.”  2 Chronicles 7:5 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  Chapter Four of The Bible Book of Second Chronicles provides the details of the furnishings of the temple which was to be the house of The Lord.  This included a description of the large bronze altar, the large ceremonial cleansing pool and the twelve large oxen that it set upon, the ten candlesticks of gold, the ten tables, one hundred golden bowls, the courts for the priests, the doors of brass, the pots, tongs, and other instruments of gold , the two large pillars at the temple entrance and the wreaths which adorned the chapiters of each pillar. (2 Chronicles 4:1-22)  After the temple was completed, chapter five records that King Solomon assembled the elders, the heads of tribes, and all the chiefs in order to bring the ark of the covenant and place it in the temple.  They placed the ark under the wings of the two cherubims.  When the priests came out of the temple, the people sang songs of praise and thanks while others played instrument, trumpets, cymbals, and harps.  Then the house of The Lord was filled with a cloud and the glory of The Lord filled the house of God. (2 Chronicles 5:1-14)  Chapter six presents the prayer that Solomon prayed unto God for the temple and for the people of God. (2 Chronicles 6:1-42)  In chapter seven Solomon and all of the people offer sacrifices unto The Lord to consecrate and dedicate the temple.  When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifices.  All of the people saw this and bowed down and worshipped. (2 Chronicles 7:1-22)

 

APPLICATION

We need to dedicate or rededicate our temple, our bodies, and ourselves unto The Lord God.  The Lord appeared unto Solomon and said, “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)  This applies to us today because we are His people, believers in Jesus, The Christ, and are called “Christians”.  So, let us confess and believe, (Romans 10:9) and praise The Lord. (Psalm 150:6)

 

THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and engraved cherubims on the walls.”  2 Chronicles 3:7 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  After he had gathered the additional materials that he wanted, King Solomon began to build the house of The Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah.  He built the house of The Lord in the same place where the angel of The Lord had commanded Gad, the seer, to tell David to set up an altar unto The Lord (1 Chronicles 21:18) in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. (2 Chronicles 3:1)  The Third Chapter of The Bible Book of Second Chronicles contains the instructions for building the house of God, including the exterior measurements, the internal measurements for each room and the cherubims within the room.  It also detailed how each of them was to be overlain with gold. (2 Chronicles 3:3-17)

 

APPLICATION

In this chapter, Solomon builds a fabulous temple to be the house of The Lord.  Today, as Christians, our bodies are the house of The Lord.  “Know ye not that your body is the temple of The Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God …” (1 Corinthians 6:19)  Our bodies are members of Christ. (1 Corinthians 6:15)  We are the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:27)  We may not be made of cedar and overlaid with gold, but we are fearfully and wonderfully made marvelous works of God. (Psalm 139:14)  We all should be very careful regarding how we treat our body, the temple of Christ, including what we eat.  Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins, or cardinal sins.  The Bible says that we should put a knife to our throat if we are given to gluttony. (Proverbs 23:2 NIV)  We should acknowledge The Lord God in all that we do and let Him direct our activities and behavior. (Proverbs 3:6)

 

SOLOMON PREPARES TO BUILD THE TEMPLE

PROCLAMATION

“Behold, I build an house to the name of The Lord my God, to dedicate it to Him, and to burn before Him sweet incense , and for the continual shewbread, for burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on new moons, and on the solemn feasts of The Lord.  This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.  And the house which I build is great; for great is our God above all gods.”  2 Chronicles 2:4-5 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  And Solomon decided to build and temple for The Lord and a royal palace for himself. (2 Chronicles 2:1)  He organized the men of Israel into groups and gave them assignments.  He contacted Huram king of Tyre to arrange for him to send him wood from the cedar trees as he had done with his father David.  Solomon was going to build The Lord God a great house.  He also asked Huram to send him men who could work with wood, with gold, with silver, with brass, with iron, as well as with purple, and crimson, and blue. (2 Chronicles 2:2-9)  In exchange for these things Solomon would give him wheat, barley, wine, and oil.  There were 153,600 men who would be working on these buildings. (2 Chronicles 2:10-18)

 

APPLICATION

When King Solomon decided to build a temple for The Lord God, he wanted the temple to be great. (2 Chronicles 2:5)  When we do things, we should do our very best.  “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might …” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)  We should do all that we do as if we were doing it for God.  “What ever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for The Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)  We should give God our best.

 

SOLOMON THE WISEST AND RICHEST KING EVER

PROCLAMATION

“Wisdom and knowledge is granted thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.”  2 Chronicles 1:12 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  As Solomon began to reign as king of Israel, The Lord God was with him and magnified him exceedingly. (2 Chronicles 1:1)  The Lord God appeared to Solomon at night and said unto him, ask for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.  Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge so that he could rightly judge the people. (2 Chronicles 1:7-10)  The Lord God told Solomon that He would grant him what he asked for, and He would also give him riches, wealth, and honor.  God said that he would have more than any of the kings before him, and more than any of the kings after him. (2 Chronicles 1:11-12)  The chapter ended with a description of Solomon’s wealth which was so abundant that he had to have chariot cities scattered throughout the kingdom. (2 Chronicles 1:14-17)

 

APPLICATION

All King Solomon wished for was wisdom and knowledge so that he could rightly judge the people of God.  Because his heart was in the right place, wanting to help the people, The Lord God blessed him with that which he asked for, and then also gave him a lot more.  We need to be careful regarding what we ask God for.  The Bible says, “… Ye have not, because ye ask not.” (James 4:2)  It also says, “Ask, and it shall be given …” (Matthew 7:7)  We need to ask, in the name of Jesus, for what we want.  “Whatsoever ye shall ask The Father in My name, He will give it you.  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:23-24)  However, Jesus, The Christ, said that our requests would be granted if what we asked for would give God glory.  “And whatsoever ye ask in My name, that will I do, that The Father may be glorified in The Son.” (John 14:13)  If our prayer requests were not answered, maybe we asked for the wrong things.  “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss …” (James 4:3)  When we pray and ask for things, we need to remember “… For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required …” (Luke 12:48)

 

SOLOMON BECOMES KING

PROCLAMATION

“… And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto The Lord to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.  Then Solomon sat on the throne of The Lord as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.  And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.”  1 Chronicles 29:22-24 (KJV)

                                             

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  David begins Chapter 29 by telling the congregation that his son Solomon is young but the work on the temple is for The Lord God.  He tells them what he has set aside for building the temple.  Then David asked them who among them is willing to consecrate their service unto The Lord. (1 Chronicles 29:1-5)  The chiefs of the fathers, and the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the hosts, and the leaders of the king’s work all offered their services willingly and they gave more gold, silver, brass, iron, and precious stones to the effort.  Then they rejoiced at the amount that was given, and David blessed them and he prayed unto The Lord. (1 Chronicles 29:6-19)  Afterwards they had a great feast and again anointed Solomon king of Israel.  Then Solomon sat on the throne as king and all the princes and the mighty men submitted themselves unto Solomon. (1 Chronicles 29:20-24)  David reigned over Israel for forty years, seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.  He died at a good old age after having enjoyed riches and honor, and then his son Solomon reigned in his stead. (1 Chronicles 29:26-30)

 

APPLICATION

Most of us are impatient.  When thing are promised to us, we do not want to wait for them, we want them immediately.  It is almost as if we feel that if we do not get it soon, then someone else will get it.  We need to understand that The Lord God commands all of the blessings for us. (Deuteronomy 28:8)  No man can get that which God has for us.  There is in store for each of us that which The Lord has only for us. (2 Timothy 4:8)  Whatever the blessing is, it comes from The Lord God and our blessing has our name on it.  “Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  But God … putteth down one, and setteth up another.” (Psalm 75:6-7)  

 

BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE

PROCLAMATION

“And David said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and of good courage, and do it; fear not, nor be dismayed; for The Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee …’ ”  1 Chronicles 28:20 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  In Chapter 24 the author begins by listing the sons of Aaron.  He includes the names of Nadab and Abihu who died before Aaron (1 Chronicles 24;1-2) because they presented an unauthorized fire before The Lord (Leviticus 10:1) and did not give the proper respect to the holiness and glory of God. (Leviticus 10:2-3)  Then the author presented the order in which they served as determined by the drawing of lots. (1 Chronicles 24:4-19)  In the remainder of the chapter the author presented the sons of Levi. (1 Chronicles 24:20-31)  In Chapter 25 David with the captains of the army appointed the worship leaders.  The author then lists the names of the men and the order in which they would serve. (1 Chronicles 25:1-31)  In Chapter 26 David completes the assignments for service within the temple. (1 Chapter 26:1-32)  In Chapter 27 David presents the commanders and officers of the military (1 Chronicles 27:1-15) and the leaders of the tribes of Israel. (1 Chronicles 27:16-22)  Then he presents the other officials, like those having authority over the king’s storehouses, agriculture, and herds.  Then finally he named his advisors and counselors. (1 Chronicles 27:23-34)  Afterwards, David gave his farewell address and charged all of the leaders of Israel. (1 Chronicles 28:1)  He recounts the events around his wanting to build a temple for the ark and all of his efforts to prepare things so that Solomon could build the temple. (1 Chronicles 17:1-27 and 28:2-8)  David repeated his instructions to Solomon and his charges to the Levites and the priests. (1 Chronicles 28:9-21)

 

APPLICATION

David was a man after God’s own heart. (Acts 13:22)  However, David was a man, and he sinned and fell short.  When he did sin, then he also confessed, prayed, and asked to be forgiven. (Psalm 51:3-12)  David was sincere in his prayers and his praise.  He gave his son Solomon good advise regarding obeying the word of God. (1 Chronicles 28:9 and 28:20)  We would do well to also heed that advice.  We ought to love and serve The Lord God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, and Luke 10:27)  We also need to be courageous and steadfast in His Holy Word.  And when we fall short, we need to confess our sins and request to be forgiven. (1 John 1:9)