|
|
1 Kings Chapter 5
Preparations for Building the Temple
- 1Kings 5:1 And Hiram
king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard
that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for
Hiram was ever a lover of David.
- 2 And Solomon sent
to Hiram, saying,
- 3 Thou knowest how
that David my father could not build an house unto the name of
the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every
side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.
- 4 But now the LORD
my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is
neither adversary nor evil occurrent.
Although God doesn't dwell in temples
made by man, our God loves us and grants David's request to build a
house to honor God but to wait until his son came on the throne.
This is a preview of the real Son of God, Jesus who will build the
final temple and rule on the earth. God gave Solomon rest from
enemies whereas David had constant wars and could not take any time
to build the house of God. Hiram helped David build his own house
but now through Solomon either the same Hiram or the son of Hiram
wanted to help Solomon build this temple.
Hiram was a friend of David who
respected and admired him. If this was his son, he inherited his
respect and love for David by having respect to Solomon. Solomon's
reign was one of peace. Judah and Israel were united, enemies were
defeated previously by David and it was time to move forward.
-
1Kings 5:5 And, behold, I purpose
to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD
spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon
thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
This seems to be a double prophecy
meaning the immediate future as well as the future with Jesus also
called the son of David through Mary and Joseph both. Mary through
Nathan and Joseph through Solomon. Nathan (not the prophet, Nathan)
and Joseph were both sons of David. We know though that Jesus was
not the biological son of Joseph but He was still counted as legal
heir to the throne of Israel. Stephen when he was ready to die for
the cause of preaching Jesus and doing miracles in His name speaks
of Solomon in Acts chapter 6 and 7. There also a mention of a house
in Hebrews:
- Hebrews 3:1
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,
consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ
Jesus;
- 2 Who was
faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful
in all his house.
- 3 For this man
was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who
hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
- 4 For every
house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is
God.
- 5 And Moses
verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a
testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
- 6 But Christ as
a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast
the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Many times prophecy in the Old
Testament is a type of the final fulfillment to come at a later
time.
The Sidonians were known for their
skills in mechanics. I've known mechanics that never even went to
school for instruction in anytrade but could fix almost anything. In
my own family there was many like that but I didn't inherit it
unfortunately. There are some that naturally are inclined to be able
to fix things, build things and just figure things out.
- 1Kings 5:7 And it
came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he
rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which
hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.
- 8 And Hiram sent to
Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest
to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of
cedar, and concerning timber of fir.
It is awesome that Hiram was rejoicing
in helping to build a house for the Lord. He was excited. We should
all be like that when it comes to helping build a church or place of
worship.
- 1Kings 5:9 My
servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I
will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt
appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou
shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in
giving food for my household.
- 10 So Hiram gave
Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.
- 11 And Solomon gave
Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his
household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to
Hiram year by year.
In return for his help Solomon supplied
food to them each year.
- 1Kings 5:12 And the
LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was
peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league
together.
- 13 And king Solomon
raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty
thousand men.
- 14 And he sent them
to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were
in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the
levy.
- 15 And Solomon had
threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore
thousand hewers in the mountains;
- 16 Beside the chief
of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand
and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in
the work.
- 17 And the king
commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and
hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
- 18 And Solomon's
builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the
stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the
house.
I know we all do not like taxes. Some
use our tax money to enrich themselves or fund some things we would
disagree with but truly helping the poor or building a house of
worship would be a worthy cause. It would be more of a blessing for
people to volunteer to give for this though. Forced taxes hurt those
that have little to give but since Solomon had wisdom given to him
from God, I believe he knew what he was doing and God no doubt was
blessing the people for this was a time of peace and rejoicing. Even
though God doesn't really need a house to dwell in, the fact that
the people wanted Him in their midst was fabulous. He is God and He
will provide for those that trust in Him. DC
1 Kings Chapter 6
|
|