1 Kings 7,8 - Dedication of the Temple

It took seven years to build the temple, but thirteen years to build the palace. Is this a case of Solomon devoting more effort to his own glory than that of God? How often do we devote more effort to our own well-being than God's well-being? Haggai 1:2,3 are an example of this. The reality is that if we do devote more effort to ourselves than to God then we will actually be worse off.

We then get some details on the design of the palace, and it was made of all the best materials.

Skilled craftsmen of various kinds were brought to work on the temple furnishings. Many valuable items were brought into the temple.

Finally the ark of the covenant was brought into the temple. For this all elders of Israel were assembled and the priests carried the ark into the covenant. Solomon was being careful not to make the same mistake that David made. Many sacrifices were made at the same time.

After the priests left the Holy Place the cloud of the Lord's presence filled the temple. This cloud was important to demonstrate to the people that God was indeed dwelling amongst them. 

Solomon seems rather pleased with the outcome, and then makes a declaration to the people. He is declaring to them that the Lord has been faithful to fulfil His promises. We need to lay hold of this, for when times get difficult we forget that our God is faithful, that we can always trust Him. Then when we lose faith we can easily fall into disobedience, just as the Israelites frequently did.

Solomon then makes his prayer of dedication. In this he seems to realise that the temple, magnificent as it was in human terms, could not really be God's dwelling place. For the temple could not contain God. Yet the temple did have an important place in God's dealing with Israel, but it did not limit or contain the full extent of His presence of work. We have churches and organisations and projects which sometimes God works through. when this happens we should rejoice, but we should never imagine that our project or grouping can possibly contain the whole working of God, the whole presence of God. This is a mistake that we make again and again.

Then we get various features of God's work among the people. 

• It is to be a place of prayer, where God will hear the cry of His people. (8:30)
• It is a place of judgement. (8:31,32)
• It is a place of mercy. (8:33,34)
• It is a place of teaching. (8:35,36)
• It is a place of forgiveness (8:37-40)
• It is a place where God's greatness and goodness will go out to all nations (8:41-43). This is not something that Israel was good at remembering!
• It is a place of strengthening. (8:44,45)
• It is a place of restoration for repentant people =. (8:46-51)

Solomon then concludes his prayer. He recognises also that we are utterly dependent upon the Lord to turn our hearts towards Him.

The dedication was concluded and there was great joy amongst the people.