SOLOMON PREPARES TO BUILD THE TEMPLE

PROCLAMATION

“Behold, I build an house to the name of The Lord my God, to dedicate it to Him, and to burn before Him sweet incense , and for the continual shewbread, for burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on new moons, and on the solemn feasts of The Lord.  This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.  And the house which I build is great; for great is our God above all gods.”  2 Chronicles 2:4-5 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  And Solomon decided to build and temple for The Lord and a royal palace for himself. (2 Chronicles 2:1)  He organized the men of Israel into groups and gave them assignments.  He contacted Huram king of Tyre to arrange for him to send him wood from the cedar trees as he had done with his father David.  Solomon was going to build The Lord God a great house.  He also asked Huram to send him men who could work with wood, with gold, with silver, with brass, with iron, as well as with purple, and crimson, and blue. (2 Chronicles 2:2-9)  In exchange for these things Solomon would give him wheat, barley, wine, and oil.  There were 153,600 men who would be working on these buildings. (2 Chronicles 2:10-18)

APPLICATION

When King Solomon decided to build a temple for The Lord God, he wanted the temple to be great. (2 Chronicles 2:5)  When we do things, we should do our very best.  “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might …” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)  We should do all that we do as if we were doing it for God.  “What ever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for The Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)  We should give God our best.