Solomon Dedicates the Temple

September 8, 2024 Background Scripture: 1 Kings 8:22 -53 Lesson Passage: 1 Kings 8:22 - 24, 37 - 39, 46, 48 - 50a The Background Scripture of our lesson contains Solomon's dedicatory prayer for Israel's first temple. Many are familiar with God's response to this prayer, "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." However, I am not sure if as many are familiar with the prayer that prompted such a response from God. Solomon's dedicatory prayer of the temple is the subject of this lesson. The temple was constructed during Solomon's reign as Israel's king. Solomon's father, David, had purposed in his heart to build a temple for God to replace the tabernacle (tent) that was used during the many years the people of Israel lived as nomads. The tabernacle contained the ark of the covenant, the altar, and several other pieces of furniture. It was the place where the priests served before the Lord on behalf of Israel. It was the place where God would sometimes allow His presence to be visibly known by the presence of a cloud upon the tabernacle. God had allowed Israel to settle in Canaan, which is the land He promised to give to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Finally, the nomadic tribe, Israel, believed they had a permanent home. After being under the leadership of the judges and King Saul, David became their second king. Israel was at peace after many military battles, King David had a royal house for his family, but the sanctuary and altar were still inside the tabernacle. David wanted to build a "permanent" place for the sanctuary and altar of God. God acknowledged David's desire but refused to allow him to do it because David was a man of war and had shed much blood. God promised to allow David's son to build a sanctuary for His name, David spent the latter part of his life accumulating the finest materials and precious metals to be used for the construction of the temple and its furnishings. David's son, Solomon, seceded him as Israel's king and authorized the construction of the temple. The construction time used to build the house of the Lord was seven years. All the special furnishings were made and placed inside the temple. Finally, the ark of the covenant was brought in and put in place by the priests. After the ark was put in place and the priests came out of the holy place, the cloud concealing the glow of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. Solomon had assembled the elders of Israel for the dedication ceremony. Solomon addressed the elders, and then he lifted his hands to heaven and knelt before the altar and prayed. It is remarkable to look at the various elements of the prayer Solomon prayed. Solomon began his prayer by declaring a reverence for the God of heaven. He acknowledged God's past promises and actions in keeping them. He petitioned for God's revealed will to be done by His covenant people. He asked God to answer the prayers of His servants after their repentance and return to following Him. He prayed that God would cause their captors to show compassion towards His people. Throughout his prayer, Solomon acknowledged the sin and frailty of all people. Despite that, Solomon's petitions were conditional and based on Israel's repentance and return to following God prior to God answering their prayers. Solomon also prayed for non-Jews who would acknowledge the temple as God's dwelling place among His people. Although it is somewhat lengthy, Solomon's prayer indicates an expected response from God to sincere prayer and repentance. This was more than a prayer dedicating the temple. Solomon prayed that the temple would be an integral part of the life of God's covenant people, and that God's actions would acknowledge it as such. Robert C. Hudson August 3 1, 2024