Click Here – 1 Kings 6

It took seven years for Solomon and his workers to build the amazing temple.  As we read the descriptions from this chapter we see the amazing detail put into the building.  Notice the cedar paneling, the cherubim in the inner sanctuary, the gold overlays, and the figures carved around the room.  A sight that we cannot comprehend! 

But as you read this, don’t miss the most important part – verses 11-13.  God speaks to Solomon and reminds him to keep the commandments and statutes.  If so, God promised to dwell among the people of Israel forever!  The purpose for the temple was to serve as the ultimate reminder of God’s presence dwelling in the presence of His people.

Click Here – 1 Kings 5

God would not allow David, Solomon’s father, build Him a temple, since David was a man of war.  After Solomon came to power, he started using his negotiation powers to get the materials needed for the temple.  It wasn’t difficult.  Hiram, king of Tyre (modern day Lebanon), was an ally of David and was happy to continue that relationship with Solomon.

Solomon treated Hiram fairly, giving him ample labor and payment for the timber that was required for the temple and other building projects.  Solomon also gathered the great stones needed for the foundation of the temple, and recruited (and drafted) many people to assist with this project.

The house of the LORD would be amazing, as we will see in tomorrow’s reading!

Click Here – 1 Kings 4

Solomon was a wise man, but he wasn’t superman!  One of the wisest things he did was to entrust others in positions of authority, and allowed them to do the tasks that they were given to do.  Even though he was wiser than others, and possibly better able to do other tasks, he still gave the responsibility to others. 

Sometimes in the church we think that there is something that we NEED to do, that no one else could do it as well as we could, so we go ahead and just get it done.  That, however, is why 80% of the things done in a church are done by 20%!  And that is also why that 20% often get burned out and frustrated with their work in the church.  The 20% need to entrust and enable the other 80% to get involved and to do the task set before them. 

Solomon was a very wise man, guided by God.  Maybe we can learn a little bit of wise leadership from him!

Click Here – 1 Kings 3

With his kingdom firmly established from within, Solomon started protecting it from without.  Where David was a warrior king, Solomon preferred peaceful means.  The chapter starts by noting that Solomon made a marriage alliance with the Pharaoh.  Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter, and in the process stated that peace would happen between the two countries, since they were now related.  This was a common practice in that time in the Middle East.  But that is a foreshadowing of future problems coming up for Solomon.

 The rest of the chapter focuses on the wisdom of Solomon.  First, note that it came from God, and with it also came riches and honor.  Second, note that the one request that God had was that Solomon would walk in the ways of David his father.  Finally, also note that the people recognized that the wisdom of Solomon came from God, and that wisdom added to their respect and honor for God.

God gives each of us gifts, gifts that we are to use to serve Him, so that others can see Him through our use of His gifts!