Read: 1
Kings 7
Just as his father was a renowned warrior, Solomon
was a renowned builder. Solomon commissioned and oversaw the building of the God’s
house. This took seven years. After building the temple, Solomon commissioned
and oversaw the construction of several buildings for his own house. This took
thirteen years. Solomon’s personal buildings included a gathering hall (“the
house of the forest of Lebanon,” v 2), a colonnade (“hall of pillars,” v 6),
the “Hall of Justice” (where he conducted his judicial work, v 7), his personal
palace (v 8), and a palace for his wife (v 8).
Chapter 7 closes with a description of the brass
work Solomon commissioned for the temple. This section is out of order
chronologically, as Solomon commissioned this work before the temple was
completed (2 Chronicles 2).He employed a man named Hiram for this job (v 13).
This man should not be confused with Hiram, king of Tyre, from 1 Kings 5.
Indeed, the king of Tyre sent this similarly-named man to Solomon as a worker
(2 Chronicles 2:12-13 – Here King Hiram is called Huram and Hiram the worker is
called Huram-abi). Hiram’s father was from Tyre and his mother from Israel. His
heritage gave him both the skills of a craftsmen and the heart for Yahweh
needed to work on the temple instruments. The extravagant offering of the
temple continues, as the amount of brass used was so large it could not be
measured (v 47).
In this chapter, we see another indication that
Solomon’s heart was not entirely dedicated to the Lord. Surely, Solomon loved
God or he would not have built such an excellent temple. However, Solomon’s
personal buildings exceeded those he built for the Lord. Solomon’s story is a
complex one, filled with mixed motives. In one moment we see Him make offerings
to Yahweh. In the next we see Him compromising the integrity of his dedication
to God in the name of personal gain.
Prayer and
Journaling
1. Scripture elevates Solomon as a builder and a
wise man. These are both gifts from God. What gifts has God given you? How has
He uniquely molded and created you? Ask Him how He wants you to use your gifts
and characteristics.
2. Solomon and Hiram came from different family
backgrounds, but both were able to play a role in God’s story because of their
upbringing. God wants you to play a role in His story, and placed you in the specific
upbringing you had for a reason. Sometimes he blesses people with a strong
foundation because they are born into faithful families. Sometimes he blesses
people with the chance to build character and reliance on Him because they were
born into more difficult family situations. Ask God to reveal part of the
reason why He gave you your personal upbringing and family heritage.
3. Pray for Christians in the marketplace today.
Pray that they would work diligently and with integrity. Pray that how they
work would reflect how God works. Pray that they would lead co-workers,
employers, employees, clients and customers closer to God through both their
deeds and their words. Ask God to empower them with the gifts and abilities
needed to perform their jobs.
