The Ark comes to the Temple

1 Kings Chapter 8

After the Temple was finished, Solomon brought all the leaders of the tribes and families of Israel to Jerusalem. They were there to bring the Ark of the Lord's covnant from its location in Zion (city of David) to the Temple. They assembled at the annual Festival of Shelters in early autumn.

The priests and Levites took the Ark and the Tabernacle and all its sacred utensils to the Temple and King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed sheep and oxen in such numbers that no one could keep count. Then the priests carried the Ark into the inner sanctuary of the Temple- The Most Holy Place- and placed in beneath the wings of the cherubim. And as the priests came out of the inner sanctuary, a cloud filled the Temple and they could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple.

Then Solomon blessed his people with a long prayer that you can read in verses 12 through 53. He referred to the Lord telling his father David that one of his sons would build the Temple and now the Lord was fulfulling that promise. Solomon stood with his hands lifted toward heaven and before the altar of the Lord and dedicated the Temple. He declared that even the highest heaven cannot contain God. Yet God could hear the cry and prayer of his servants. Solomon asked God to teach the people to do what was right and he asked that God forgive them and be merciful to them.

Solomon finished his prayers and requests and blessed the entire community of Israel in his dedication prayers in verses 54 through 61. Then the sacrificial offerings were done. Followed by Solomon's dedication of the courtyard in front of the Temple. Finally, the king and his people celebrated the Festival of Shelters and the celebration went on for fourteen days. The people went home joyful and happy.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Solomon's prayer had five basic requests: 1. for God's presence. 2. for the desire to do God's will in everything. 3. for the desire and ability to obey God's decrees and commands. 4. for help with each day's needs. 5. for the spread of God's Kingdom to the entire world.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Just as God chose Solomon to build his Temple, God chooses and uses people to do his work. He needs you to help build worship of him. He needs you to help spread the word. Enlarging your place of worship may be necessary, but don't ever forget that it should never take priority over developing spiritual leaders.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home from the hospital and having rehab for the paralysis on one side of her body. Continue to pray for her recovery.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: She has shed the feeding tube and is taking formula on her own! But breathing problems are still with her, though improving all the time. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. She has been moved to a St. Louis hospital.
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake,those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.