Read: 1
Kings 5
God promised David that his son would reign and
build a temple for Yahweh in Israel (2 Sam 7:12-13). The first half of this
promise has been fulfilled – Solomon is on the throne. Now it is time to
complete the second half by beginning work on the temple. Hiram, king of Tyre
to the north, sends an ambassador to congratulate Solomon on becoming king. An
intended by-product of sending a delegation to Solomon was renewing the
friendship formed between Tyre and Israel during the reign of David. In
response, Solomon strikes a business deal with Hiram. In order to build the
temple, Solomon would need building materials. Solomon offers to provide food
and wages for Hiram’s servants if they will provide him with quality cut timber
(a specialty of Hiram’s kingdom). Hiram agrees and the deal is fulfilled (v
10-11). This transaction allowed the neighbouring kingdoms to develop peaceful
relations and form a treaty (v 12). Solomon also contracted workers from within
Israel to transport timber from the coast (v 9) and to mine and cut valuable
stones for the temple’s foundations (v 17).
Solomon could have chosen a lower grade of
materials in order to complete the temple quicker and at a lower financial
cost. He could have chosen wood from within Israel’s borders and kept the funds
paid to Hiram in his own kingdom. However, Solomon knew this would be
unacceptable. The Lord is a glorious king! While no human effort can build a
temple worthy of His splendour, Solomon wanted present the best temple possible
as an offering to God.
Prayer and
Journaling
1. God is pleased when we offer our best to Him. He
is worth everything we are and everything we have! Spend some time praising God
for His glory today. He is the matchless king upon the throne! If you need help
with this, meditate on Isaiah 6:1-7.
2. God always fulfills His promises. One of the
ways we can grow to become more like Him is learning to do the things we say we
will do. Solomon fulfilled his pledge to Hiram, and God honoured him by
recording it in Scripture. Are there any promises you have broken or not
completed? If it is still possible, commit to fulfilling them.
3. Pray for your family today. Reflect on the
things God has taught you through the Scripture passage you read today, and
pray that your family members would grow in these areas. Ask God to display His
glory to your family, so they would know Him more.
