Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
1:12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.
Yet it was these blessings of wealth and possessions that ultimately lead Solomon astray. He immediately accumulated chariots and horses (v. 14) from Egypt (v. 16) which kings were not to do (Deut. 17:16). His security and trust went from God to God's blessings.
1:12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.
Yet it was these blessings of wealth and possessions that ultimately lead Solomon astray. He immediately accumulated chariots and horses (v. 14) from Egypt (v. 16) which kings were not to do (Deut. 17:16). His security and trust went from God to God's blessings.
2:12 And Hiram added: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth! He has given King David a wise son, endowed with intelligence and discernment, who will build a temple for the Lord and a palace for himself.
Israel is starting to influence the countries around them. The King of Tyre acknowledges that the God of Israel made heaven and earth and given David's son intelligence and discernment.
This was supposed to be Israel continuing role in the world.
2:12 And Hiram added: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth! He has given King David a wise son, endowed with intelligence and discernment, who will build a temple for the Lord and a palace for himself.
Israel is starting to influence the countries around them. The King of Tyre acknowledges that the God of Israel made heaven and earth and given David's son intelligence and discernment.
This was supposed to be Israel continuing role in the world.
3:1-4 Then Solomon began to build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David. He began building on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign … He overlaid the inside with pure gold.
Solomon built the temple where Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac. It wasn't so much the size of the temple that was impressive but rather it's magnificence. Quality impresses God more than size.
Likewise, it wasn't David's stature that impressed God, but the quality of his heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
3:1-4 Then Solomon began to build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David. He began building on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign … He overlaid the inside with pure gold.
Solomon built the temple where Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac. It wasn't so much the size of the temple that was impressive but rather it's magnificence. Quality impresses God more than size.
Likewise, it wasn't David's stature that impressed God, but the quality of his heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
4:6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north. In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed, but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing.
There was an emphasises on washing which would have required a lot of water. (On a side note, this may have been a factor in deciding the exact location of the temple on Mount Moriah because the temple needed access to running water). The symbolism of water for cleansing was important to God.
4:6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north. In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed, but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing.
There was an emphasises on washing which would have required a lot of water. (On a side note, this may have been a factor in deciding the exact location of the temple on Mount Moriah because the temple needed access to running water). The symbolism of water for cleansing was important to God.
5:13 The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: "He is good; his love endures forever." Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud.
As praise rose from the temple, God's Presence filled it. He is "enthroned on the praises of Israel" (Psalm 22:3). We experience God's presence when we lift up his name with praise, music and song.
5:13 The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: "He is good; his love endures forever." Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud.
As praise rose from the temple, God's Presence filled it. He is "enthroned on the praises of Israel" (Psalm 22:3). We experience God's presence when we lift up his name with praise, music and song.