I Kings Chapter 8
Please read: I Kings 8 –
The temple was now complete, and it was time for King Solomon to dedicate it to the LORD. How might one expect a king to dedicate a building to God? We might surmise that he would speak of the grandeur of the building project, he might give a speech about the many hands that helped to build it and the plans that went into the whole project. But that is not what we see this godly man doing during his dedication ceremony. Solomon made a declaration of what God had done for the people of Israel and rehearsed the covenant that He made with His people. And then Solomon prayed before the whole assembly.
Let's Reflect
1. What was the first piece of furniture that was brought into the new temple?
2. According to verse 9 what was included inside that piece of furniture?
3. After the ark was placed what happened inside the temple?
4. Solomon spoke before the people explaining that his father David had wanted to build the temple, but that God had said his son would build it. According to verses 20 and 21 what reasons did Solomon give for building the temple?
5. At the beginning of Solomon’s prayer, he mentions 3 truths about God. What are they?
6. Solomon wanted the temple to be a place where God could dwell, but he also recognized what about God? See verse 27.
7. Throughout Solomon’s prayer of dedication, he mentions many various scenarios where mankind will come to the temple and pray to ask forgiveness. They will come when they have acted against their neighbor, when they have been defeated by enemies because of their sins, when there has been no rain because of judgement for sin, and for whatever plea they might bring before God asking for forgiveness. What is Solomon asking God to do when the people pray to Him?
8. Solomon also prayed for the foreigner who might come to the temple because he has heard how great the LORD is and he wants to pray to God. He prayed for protection of the people when attacked by enemies. He even prayed that if God becomes angry with His people because they have sinned that He would forgive them. Solomon, in that sentence of his prayer, understood that God might pronounce judgement on His people in the future for their sins. What did he say God’s judgement for their sins might be? See verse 46.
9. In verses 52 and 53 what does Solomon ask of God?
10. Solomon ended the dedication of the temple with 2 things. He presented to God a great number of sacrifices. What was the second thing he did?
