Hiram king of Tyre, sends to congratulate Solomon on his accession to the kingdom, "for Hiram was ever a lover of David" (1 Kings 5:1 KJV).

How thankful we are that Jesus, David's greater Son is on the throne - He binds us to Him with the cords of His love. Because of what He has done for us, we let Him release His love through us in loving service, revealing our relationship to Him. The great work which Solomon was raised up to do was the building of the Temple. For this purpose God gave him wisdom and wealth. In this he points to Christ who said, "I will build My church" (Matthew 16:18 KJV). That building began in fullness at Pentecost (Acts 2 ).

Just as Solomon invited Hiram to assist in supplying materials and skilled labour (1 Kings 5:2-7 ), so the Lord uses His people to build a Temple that will never perish - His Church. He uses those gifted spiritually and naturally - businessmen - professional people - and all labouring together with Him. Have we agreed like Hiram, to work for and with our heavenly Solomon? (1 Kings 5:8-9 ). The Lord becomes our provider as we work for Him, just as Solomon generously provided for the thousands who laboured to build the Temple (1 Kings 5:10-12 ).

Solomon doubled up on his labour force so as to make sure the workers were away working for one month, and at home two months (1 Kings 5:13-14 ). How careful leaders need to be in building the temple of the Lord, to leave sufficient time for those involved with them to attend properly to the family and affairs of the home. Our heavenly Solomon has no forced labourers - He has no compulsion - no other pressure than that of love.

2 Corinthians 5:14 "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:"

God, through His people, is still quarrying costly living stones for His spiritual house.

1 Peter 2:5 "you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, ..."

After three years of laborious preparations, at last the Temple went up. A striking feature of the building was no noise (1 Kings 6:7 ). All the stones were pre-prepared at the quarry, and fitted exactly into one another. No mortar was used. With quietness and lack of fancy display, God brings living stones together today.

"A triple-decker arrangement of rooms buttressed the walls, with access by winding staircase (1 Kings 6:8 )." Ryrie

A conditional promise is made by God to perform His word with Solomon, spoken to David (1 Kings 6:11-13 ). When obedience is rendered the Lord performs His promise. We too are to keep His Word - do His Word - walk His Word. The Temple followed the pattern given to Moses, with its Holy of Holies - inner court, and of course the outer court. The last part of chapter 6 is taken up with the plan of the Temple. The symbols of God's presence were upon condition of Israel's obedience. More could be said here about the Temple, but the real Temple story belongs to first and second Chronicles.

For seven years Solomon was engaged in building the Temple, (1 Kings 6:38 ), and thirteen years his own palace (1 Kings 7:1 ). Part of the reason may have been his concentration on the Lord's house. But the size and splendour of Solomon's palace assumed from the time taken to complete it, indicates a more intricate building. It also included a palatial mansion erected for Solomon's Egyptian wife. However, Solomon did spend almost twice as long on his own abode than he did on God's. Do we spend more time on ourselves, on our own plans, than on the work and cause of Christ? Not to be overlooked is the fact that occupation with building for God develops and sharpens our abilities and gifts.

The Hiram of (1 Kings 7:13-14 ) was of Tyrian and Jewish blood. His mother being of the tribe of Naphtali, though 2 Chronicles 2:14 speaks of her as of Dan. Some suggest that she was a native of Dan but a resident of Naphtali or vice versa. That he was specially endowed by God is seen in the remarkable work he is said to have done (1 Kings 7:40-45 ).

There are those in industry who, filled with the Spirit, have received solutions to problems, knowledge - and others who have patented new designs received through a word of wisdom. God can do this to advance His kingdom through His faithful people.

1 Kings 8:1 "Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion."

"Then" of verse one refers to the finishing of the Temple furnishings. Some think Solomon delayed the dedication of the completed Temple until the feast of Tabernacles in the seventh month, October, which was 11 months after the Temple proper was finished (1 Kings 6:38 ).

The ark, symbol of God's presence, was brought by the set-apart priests to its place in the Holy of Holies (1 Kings 8:4 ). The ark in the Temple represented God's permanent dwelling with an established people. Generous sacrifices preceded the conveyance of the ark - indicating reverence and that God could only dwell among a redeemed people (1 Kings 8:5 ). The prosperity of the nation under God's blessing is indicated in the abundance of sacrifices. The staves needed to carry the ark were not withdrawn (1 Kings 8:8; Exodus 25:15 ), and placed so as to be seen in the Holy Place, witnessing to the ark arriving at its resting place. The ark contained the two tablets of stone (1 Kings 8:9 ). We enjoy the Lord's abiding presence within us - and He has written in our hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:3 "clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart."

Full consecration brings special manifestation of God's acceptance (1 Kings 8:10-11 ). How awesome must have been the moment when the Shekinah-cloud filled the Temple, compelling the priests to retire. God will honour us with unusual demonstration of His presence when we come in complete surrender to Him. After summary of the occasion and offering the Temple for God's dwelling (1 Kings 8:12-21 ), Solomon prayed. Note - the thanksgiving and prayer was longer than the address, showing the priority of thanksgiving and prayer (1 Kings 8:22-61 ).

Twelve parts of this prayer and blessing (1 Kings 8:25 ):

	Acknowledgment of past blessings (1 Kings 8:22-24 )
	Plea for continued blessing on Israel (1 Kings 25-26 )
	God's omnipresence (1 Kings 8:27 )
	Plea for answers to prayer uttered towards the Temple (1 Kings 8:28-30 )
	Plea for just judgment (1 Kings 8:31:32 )
	Plea for forgiveness and restoration from captivity (1 Kings 8:33-34 )
	Plea for forgiveness and rain from heaven (1 Kings 8:35-36 )
	Plea for forgiveness and deliverance from famine, enemies, and sickness (1 Kings 8:37-40 )
	Plea for God's blessing upon Gentiles seeking Israel's God and praying towards the Temple (1 Kings 8:41-43 )
	Plea for God's defence of Israel in time of war (1 Kings 8:44-46 )
	Plea for forgiveness and restoration from captivity (1 Kings 8:46-53 )
	Blessing upon all Israel (1 Kings 8:54-61 )

"Prayer includes every thought and word from the heart that is Godward." Dake

---

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Would you take the words of king Solomon said to king Hiram "you know ...", to be an indication that Hiram's relationship was more than that of peaceful or commercial relations? (1 Kings 5:1-3 ).
2. Do you have quality relationships that allow you to share your heart intentions as David had? (1 Kings 5:3 ).
3. In which way was Solomon responsible both towards God and towards his father? (1 Kings 5:4-5 ). Do you have a like responsibility to God and to a godly parent?
4. What kind of pressure does a heavenly Solomon put on His workers? (1 Kings 5:13; 2 Corinthians 5:14 ).
5. What significance do you draw from linking the actual building of the temple in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, with the exodus of Israel from Egypt? (1 Kings 6:1 ).
6. What did Solomon have to do in order to experience the Davidic covenant? (1 Kings 6:11-13 ). Is it obedience of faith that makes it possible for God the fulfill His promises?
7. Is it evident to you that Solomon by using the finest and costliest materials, was by practical means, showing nothing but the best is good enough for God from those who love Him? (1 Kings 6:15-35 )
8. Why did it take Solomon so much longer to build his own palace? (1 Kings 7:1-12 ).
9. Does the Lord today specially endow with ability to do remarkable work? (1 Kings 7:13-19,40-45 ).
10. What did the generous sacrifices preceding the conveyance of the ark indicate? (1 Kings 8:5 ).
11. Is there a lesson for your dedication, in the thanksgiving and prayer being longer than the addressing of the people? (1 Kings 8:11-21,22-61 ).