God Calls Solomon to Build the Temple
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Key Verse: “Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.” Selected Scripture: |
THE NAME SOLOMON signifies ‘peaceful,’ and at about the age of twenty he was chosen by God to perform the important work of building the Temple in Jerusalem. The Lord’s anointed king should be charged with this important matter since it was a national project and he was their representative and head. He had been guided and educated by the prophet Nathan, and was well prepared for this great task.
Solomon also partook of his father David’s religious disposition more than any of his brethren did. His mother also was apparently more in sympathy with the Divine arrangement than were any of his father’s other wives. “Thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind.”(I Chron. 28:9) The verse ends with a reminder to all that if we turn away from God he will also remove his favor from us. (Ps. 9:10; Hos. 4:1) This shows us that only in proportion as we know God, can we properly trust in and serve him. Further, outward service is not sufficient in our dealings with the Lord but, the “true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”—John 4:23
It was made clear to all that it was God’s appointed time to build the Temple. He gave to Solomon the great opportunity to serve him, and for the exercise of his intelligence and ambitions along proper and helpful lines. God then gave him the assurance, ‘be strong, and do it.’ We have similar words expressed in the verses, “Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”—Prov. 3:23; 4:23
The Lord also made known his great plans and purposes respecting the future. For Christ—the antitype of Solomon—has been strengthened and approved of the Father. By communion with God in prayer, and through the Word of Truth, our own hearts are kept in love and service to God. It will then provide opportunities in love and helpfulness, and the development of thoughts in accord with the Divine. “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”—Heb. 11:6
The importance of the Temple is illustrated in the specific directions given by God concerning its construction. God rewarded David’s life of service by allowing him the opportunity to provide to Solomon the design for the building. “The pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the Lord, and of all the chambers round about, or the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things.” (I Chron. 28:12) Many items of gold were used in the construction and furnishing of the Temple—golden candlesticks, tables, hooks, and basins. The altars, the chariot of the cherubims, and the ark of the covenant were all covered with pure gold. (vss. 13-18) Gold represents things Divine, and is used to represent the covenant that God made with Israel, and that the Temple was God’s design.