Year 1, Week 45, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 45, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4.

Today’s reading consists of parallel historical accounts that report on the completion of Solomon’s house and other governmental structures but also a more elaborate report on the furnishings of the Temple. 1 Kings 7, though it reports on the governmental structures that Solomon had built, provides much more details on the Temple furnishings: “Thus all the work that King Solomon did on the house of the LORD was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, the silver, the gold, and the vessels, and stored them in the treasuries of the house of the LORD” (1 Kings 7:51). 2 Chronicles 4 provides the same details of the Temple furnishings and in fact the conclusion, which is in the following chapter, repeats the same conclusion as the report from 1 Kings: “Thus all the work that Solomon did for the house of the LORD was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, and stored the silver, the gold, and all the vessels in the treasuries of the house of God” (2 Chronicles 4:51). However, the Chronicler says nothing about the governmental structures Solomon built.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is the extensive details that today’s reading provides concerning the furnishings that went into the Temple: “And King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre. He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work” (1 Kings 7:13-14). These words are reminiscent of the skilled craftsmanship that went into building and furnishing the Tabernacle: “The LORD said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft” (Exodus 31:1-5). It is very interesting that the extensive description of the Temple furnishings as well as the note concerning the careful workmanship that went into making the furnishings, is all about items inside the Temple (same was true of the Tabernacle), that the average Israelite would never see with his own eyes. But it was made for the LORD’s pleasure and therefore it was well made.

1 Kings 7 opens with a report of at least five other structures that Solomon had built: “He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon…he made the Hall of Pillars…he made the Hall of the Throne where he was to pronounce judgment, even the Hall of Judgment…His own house where he was to dwell…made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter whom he had taken in marriage” (1 Kings 7:2-8). Not of these were shabby structures: “All these were made of costly stones, cut according to measure” (1 Kings 7:9a). They were each made with great care using the best of materials. But it only takes twelve verses to report on these five structures, while the rest of the chapter (thirty-eight verses) is taken up to report on the interior decorations of the Temple. And this doesn’t account for the fact that all of the preceding chapter (thirty-eight verses) is taken up to report on the exterior structure of the Temple. So, scrunched between a lengthy report about the Temple, is a short report about other things that Solomon had built.

I would suggest that the de-emphasis on the governmental structures at the expense of the prominent reporting on the Temple and the Temple furnishings is meant to teach priority. What I am suggesting could be overstated, but based on what is given the most attention in today’s reading with the Temple structure maximized and the governmental structures minimized is that worship is more important than politics. This strong statement is not meant to suggest that politics and government are not important—they are very important—but it does suggest that the LORD dwelling among His people through sacrifice is more essential to the well-being of a citizenry than any number of aggressive governmental policies and political posturing. Now, I recognize that God has ordained both worship and government, but one should shape the other—worship should shape government; but not visa-versa.

Take the names of the two bronze pillars placed at the entrance to the Temple: “He set up the pillars at the vestibule of the temple. He set up the pillar on the south and called its name Jachin, and he set up the pillar on the north and called its name Boaz” (1 Kings 7:21). Naming pillars to a building seems a bit odd. But maybe not if their names are meant to teach something. Jachin means something like, the LORD will establish or the throne will be established forever, while Boaz means something like, in the LORD there is might (or strength). As the Temple was approached, the worshippers were given a message concerning the promise as well as the power of the LORD. These truths not only form a sure confession for worship, they also should forge a solid perspective on government.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe