Solomon builds a Temple and a Palace

1 Kings Chapter 7

Solomon built a palace for himself which took thirteen years to complete. One of his buildings called the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon was 150 long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. It had a great cedar ceiling of beams that rested on cedar pillars. All the dimensions are listed in verses 3 through 5. He also built a Hall of Pillars which was 75 feet long and 45 feet wide with a porch and canopy supported by pillars.

He also builtthe Hall of the Throne, known as the Hall of Judgment, where Solomon sat to hear legal matters. His own living quartres were surrounded by a courtyard behind this hall. And he built similar living quarers for the Pharaoh's daughter. All buildings were built entirely from huge blocks of stone, cut and trimmed on all sides. The dimensions are listed in verses 10 through 12.

Solomon had a man named Huram from Tyre who was skilled in bronze work, cast two pillars each 27 feet tall and 18 feet in circumference. He topped them with capitals of molded bronze and the descriptions are listed in verses 13 through 22.

Huram cast a large tank 15 feet across that was called the Sea and its description can be found in verses 23 through 26. He also made bronze water carts and the details of these can be found in verses 27 though 40. When he finished, Soloman had him make many of the utensils for the Temple of the Lord in vrses 41 through 45. Then Soloman had many of the furnishings of the Temple made in gold (see verses 48-50).

Then Solomon brought all the gifts his father David had dedicated and he stored them in the treasuries of the Lord's Temple.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: That Solomon took longer to build the palace than to build the temple was not to question his priorities. His palace project took longer because it was a huge civic project including barracks and housing for his harem.

The "SEA" was an enormous tank designed and used for the priests' ceremonial washings. It was placed in the Temple court near the altar of burnt offering. There the priests washed themselves before offering sacrifices or entering the Temple.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Look around your own church at the "trappings" of your religion. I'll bet they look entirely different than the elaborate bronze items used by Solomon. In our day, we have hymnbooks and stained glass windows and pulpits, crosses etc. But the point is, we still worship the same God, we still pray to the same Christ. While the trappings of our worship may change, our worship does not. Think about the hundred of years that have gone by. Isn't it just great that our faith has survived the ever-changing world? Praise the Lord!

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.