Fulfillment of God’s Promise
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Key Verse: “The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.” Selected Scripture: |
FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF David, Solomon became king over Israel. God blessed Solomon during his reign, and rewarded him for his good character. “God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor … long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge, … that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee.” (II Chron. 1:11,12) The wisdom and fame of Solomon was made known throughout the world.—chap. 9
“Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the Lord, and an house for his kingdom.” (chap. 2:1) He commanded the gathering of the finest materials, and for the best craftsmen to be used in the construction. “The house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.” (vs. 5) The stones and timbers of the Temple were brought to the location and prepared, shaped, and marked for their exact positions, so that the actual construction was a quiet one, and the parts came together without the sound of a hammer. (I Kings 6:7) This is an illustration of the chiseling, polishing, and preparing of the saints of God in the present life, and the marking of them for their place in his kingdom. God sets the various members “in the body, as it hath pleased him.” (I Cor. 12:18) The work of the first resurrection is also a quiet one, and the world is not aware that it is being accomplished.
After the work of building the Temple was finished, and Solomon had placed in the Temple all of the things which his father David had dedicated, he assembled all of the heads of the people. (II Chron. 5:1,2) Our Lord desired the assembling of the representatives of all of the tribes of Israel for the grand occasion of blessing the Temple. A great festival was held which apparently lasted more than two weeks. This wonderful demonstration of joy was in response to what the people of Israel realized was God’s approval of the house that he had designed as a kind of dwelling house with them. As the ark came forward the Levites sang and chanted. (vss. 11-13) It is fitting that the theme of the celebration and singing was “Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever.”—Ps. 138:8
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) We see that God has a plan that involves the temple, and it is illustrated in the recounting of the events concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Luke 24) The temple of God also includes the body of believers—“the body of Christ” (I Cor. 12:27)—and the “habitation of God” through the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 2:22) As Solomon dedicated the Temple, so the church of Christ will be dedicated, formally presented to the Father by his Son. “Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, … I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”—II Cor. 6:16