King Solomon and his people celebrated the dedication of the temple for fourteen days.

It was a great moment in Israel’s history and they always looked back on this time as a pinnacle of their greatness as a nation. Later, when things weren’t going so well for Israel they longed to return to this glorious time. It’s what they hoped the Messiah would restore to them when he came someday.

Blessing the People

After the ark was placed inside the Holiest Place and the glory of the Lord filled the temple, King Solomon prayed for Israel on his knees at the great altar of sacrifice. When he finished his intercession, “he stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice.” 1 Kings 8:55

First Solomon shouted his praises to God for his faithfulness. God made so many promises to Israel and now Solomon was able to review their history and say:

“Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.” 1 Kings 8:56

Solomon knew Israel would need God’s help to keep their hearts faithful so he raised his voice and prayed.

“May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors.” 1 Kings 8:57-58

The King called out to God to answer his prayers so the nations would see that he was the only God.

“And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other.” 1 Kings 8:59-60

Finally Solomon addressed Israel and prayed for them.

“And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” 1 Kings 8:59

God Sends His Fire

A sacrifice was prepared to be a burnt offering and placed on the altar while Solomon made his prayers of confession, intercession and praise to God. When the king finished blessing Israel God did an amazing thing.

“When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, ‘He is good; his love endures forever.’” 2 Chronicles 7:1-3

Israel was overwhelmed by God’s presence. It knocked them to the ground!

Were they afraid or distressed by what they saw?

No, they were overcome by the goodness and love of the Lord. “He is good; his love endures forever.”

 Israel knew God. He created them, redeemed them out of slavery, led them through the wilderness, taught them how to live righteously, and gave them a home in the Promised Land. 470 years into their relationship with God, when the Israelites beheld God’s radiant, glorious presence, they thanked him and declared that he was the good and loving God.

Celebration!

There were more than just the Israelites at the dedication of the temple. People came from as far north as Lebo Hamath in Lebanon, and as far south as the Wadi in Egypt.

Lebanese King Hiram sent men and materials to Israel throughout the twenty years that Solomon spent building the Temple and his palace. They were close allies and Lebanese people were probably invited to be part of this grand occasion.

King Solomon had also allied himself with the royal house in Egypt by marrying Pharaoh’s daughter. Besides the temple and his royal palace, Solomon had built a palace for his bride. He probably invited important people from Egypt to come and see his accomplishments.

The Israelites came to the festivities with hundreds of thousands of animal, grain, oil, and drink offerings. Whatever was not given as a burnt offering became a feast for all the people. The hills around Jerusalem and the Kidron Valley at the foot of Mount Zion must have been filled with tents, people and animals as they came together for this great celebration.

After seven days of dedicating the temple and seven days of feasting, King Solomon wished the people well and, “they blessed the king and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the Lord had done for his servant David and his people Israel.” 1 Kings 8:66

God Appears to Solomon

“When Solomon had finished building the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had achieved all he had desired to do, the Lord appeared to him a second time, as he had appeared to him in Gibeon.” 1 Kings 9:1-2

Does God answer prayer? Here is an instance where God spoke directly in response to a man who prayed.

“I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and heart will always be there.” 1 Kings 9:3

Solomon built a temple for God, and God moved into it and gave it his name. Then he promised to always keep his eyes on it, and put his heart into it. How deeply loving that was. How kind of God to come to a dwelling a person built for him, and make it his own.

It makes me think of how kind God is to each of us when we open our heart to him. He comes in all his glory and dwells with us. After that, his eyes are always on us and his heart is always with us.

Conditions on God’s Promises

God promised to always be with Israel, but he asked them to always be faithful. God loved his people, but he was going to discipline them if they turned away from him.

“If you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name . . . This temple will become a heap of rubble. All who pass by will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the Lord the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them – that is why he brought all this disaster on them.’” 2 Chronicles 7:19-22

God practices perfect justice toward people. His heart is with them as long as they choose him, but he will withdraw his blessing if they reject him. The relationship can always be regained through repentance and returning to God to seek forgiveness. He is glad to forgive and restore people because his love and justice are there for all those who want them. But God never overrides the choices people make about whether or not to be in relationship with him.

Solomon and Hiram

King Hiram was extraordinarily generous with King Solomon. Not only did he supply Solomon with lumber, man power and expertise during his great building projects, he also sent about 4 ½ tons of gold. In return Solomon paid Hiram in wheat and oil, and he gave him twenty towns in Galilee.

Hiram went to look at the towns and discovered that they were “good for nothing.” He called them Kabul (meaning limited, not good for anything). Apparently he gave the towns back to Solomon because tomorrow we will read that Solomon rebuilt them and settled Israelites in them. Hiram lost an opportunity to extend his borders down into Galilee.

Avoid lost opportunities! Especially take the Lord seriously when he is near. He offers to keep his eyes on you and his heart with you, but he asks that you do the same for him.