Day 163.  Reading 1 Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 4

1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles 4.

SOLOMON’S PALACE

In a few verses (7:1-12), the description of Solomon’s own palace is given.  (It was larger than the Temple and stood just south of it.) It took the king thirteen years to build it.

Solomon called his palace “The House of the Forest of Lebanon” for the many cedar pillars, beams, ceilings, floors, and paneling. (Can you imagine the lovely cedar fragrance he breathed in each day?)

Some of the rooms were named “The Hall of Pillars,” “The Hall of the Throne,” and “The Hall of Judgment.” Connected to the palace were several halls for his personal living space and for that of his queen, the daughter of Pharoah. The foundations and walls were made of massive stones, 12-15 feet in length.

TEMPLE FURNISHINGS

Oh my!  Everything Solomon had made to furnish the Temple was larger, grander, and more numerous. The “sea,” which replaced the “basin” that had stood directly in front of the Tabernacle, was now 15 feet across, 7.5 feet high, and held 12,000 gallons of water. Ten movable carts with basins were made to transport water to this mini “swimming pool” used for washing priests and sacrificial animals. To support this massive basin were 12 bronze oxen underneath, three facing in each direction.  WOW!

Inside the Holy Place, instead of one lampstand, there now stood ten, half on either side, plus all that was necessary to keep them burning.  Ten tables for the shewbread were made, equally divided, north and south, but only one golden altar of incense. It stood before the Most Holy Place.

Only the Ark of the Covenant was not remade.

The Holy Place and The Most Holy Place were both lined with pure gold.  In the Most Holy Place stood the two golden cherubim that Solomon made, wings spread out to touch each other and the sides of the room. They both faced the Holy Place, though The Veil separated the rooms.  (The Ark of God would be set between them).

Outside the Temple, holding up the wide porch, were two massive bronze pillars, 27 feet high (plus the capitals, which added another 7.5 feet) and 18 feet in circumference. Solomon named them Jachin and Boaz, which meant, “He shall establish” and “In it is strength.”  They would remind the people and the king of the stability and strength of God’s promises of a “forever” Kingdom of David.

Solomon also had made all the vessels that would be used in the Temple worship. King Hiram’s man, Huram-abi led in the design and construction of them all.

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Tomorrow…. the Ark of God is brought in.