June 11: 1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3

June 11, 1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3

1 Kings 5 is the preparation for building God’s temple. Hiram king of Tyre loved David and he formed a partnership with Solomon to supply material and help for the temple. In return, Solomon would provide for the king and his people. They were the greatest timber cutters, so it made sense to have them do God’s temple. God continued to give Solomon peace and wisdom.

King Solomon gathered a bunch of resident aliens (Canaanites living in Israel) and had them do forced labor. He took good care of them though. Like a good manager, they were away from home working for 1 month and then they were home with their families for 2 months.

Solomon was also preparing in the background to build his own house, which we will get to shortly…

1 Kings 6 Solomon was prepared now to start building the Temple of the Lord. The details that we do get is that it was about 90 feet by 30 feet and about 45 feet high. Not big compared to our modern churches, but it was not a church, it was a temple for God to reside in and for the priests to do their offerings. God affirmed Solomon and what he was doing and also promised that IF Solomon stayed obedient and kept God’s rules, it would go good for him and all of Israel… we shall see how that works out! Solomon built and finished the house of the Lord. The most detail we get is for the inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. It was overlaid with gold and beautiful. It took him seven years to build it.

From ESV Study Bible...!

2 Chronicles 2 is not that much different than 1 Kings 5, except there is a little more narrative from the Chronicler on the greatness of our God. 

2 Chronicles 3 is also similar to 1 Kings 6, as the Chronicler walks us through the Temple with an emphasis on the beauty of the the Most Holy Place.

To sum it all up:

• God was getting Solomon prepared for building the temple and leading His people long before Solomon was born. God has been preparing you for your life and living for His glory long before you were born. Rest in the fact that you are right where God wants you to be, regardless of how tough or great it is. He is worthy to be Praised!