There are a fair number of long prayers in the Bible, and in 1 Kings 8:22-66, we have a record of King Solomon’s rather long prayer on the occasion of the dedication of the Temple. The prayer itself is not only long, but it is rich in content and full of many theological themes and truths that tell us about the God we serve, and the way we can approach Him in prayer. But more than this, the King’s prayer reminds us of our King Jesus, whose prayers are recorded in Scripture, but who is also before the throne of God ‘interceding for us’ (Romans 8:34). What a Saviour!

Message

Outline

• Long prayers in the Scriptures
• Solomon’s prayer – a model prayer
• Note from the text how it tells us of …

1. The God to whom the King prayed (v.22-30)
2. The way the King prayed to God (v.22-57)
3. The feast, God, King and people, enjoyed together (v.58-66)

The God you pray to and the way you pray…
The King’s ongoing praying for us!

It would be missing the point completely to read all about the building, the decoration and the furnishing of the Temple and never think about the One who inhabited the Temple. Solomon didn’t build the Temple for himself but for the God who promised He would come and inhabit it. And the text of 1 Kings 8:1-21 tells us that He did. Once the Temple was completed, the Lord came down to that Temple and allowed His glory to fill it, so that none could stand in His presence, keeping people out. What a sight that must have been! But what a greater sight when God became flesh in Jesus and in doing so, hid that glory, even on the cross, so that by His abundant grace, we may come right on in!

Message

Outline

• What we’ve noted about the temple
• Let’s not miss the One who would be within it!
• The day the Temple was opened – and God was there!
• Note from the text how it tells us of …

1. The mercy of God in the temple (v.1-9)
2. The glory of God in the temple (v.10-12)
3. The praise of God in the temple (v.13-21)

Meet the King who came from His heavenly temple!
Know His sacrificial death for us so we can come in!

King Solomon not only built the Temple of the Lord his God, but also a palace for him and his family to live in. The rest of 1 Kings 7:1-12 records this fact, informing us that as part of the palace where various Halls where Solomon would perform his royal duties. One of those halls was the ‘Hall of the Throne where he was to pronounce judgment, even the Hall of Judgment’ (verse 7). This hall reminds us that one of Solomon’s tasks was to rule over His people and be their judge, reminding us that King Jesus is now seated upon His throne, from where He ‘will come to judge the living and the dead’ and who is now building a palace for all His own!

Message (with many thanks to Andrew Kerr who ‘read’ Philip’s manuscript after he was unable to attend due to illness)

Outline

• God’s good gifts to Solomon…
• Misusing those gifts
• From the Temple to the palace…
• Note from the text how the text tells us of …

1. The priorities the King put in place (v.1)
2. The buildings the King put in place (v.2-6,8-12)
3. The throne the King put in place (v.7)

The King who had nowhere to lay His head
The palace our King is now building…

God didn’t care only about the appearance of the exterior of the Temple, but also the interior. The text of 1 Kings 6:14-38 tells the reader about the carvings, woodwork, gold and furnishings that could be seen inside its walls, all of which were designed to reflect something of God’s love of beauty, His evident glory and His all surpassing holiness. And yet, while the Temple is with us no longer, God’s interest in beauty, glory and holiness remains – all combined so wonderfully together in the cross of our Saviour, Jesus.

Message

Outline

• Getting to know you by seeing your house!
• The same is true for God…
• Progress in the building of the Temple…
• Note from the text how the interior reflects…

1. God’s perspective on beauty (v.14-18)
2. God’s expression of glory (v.19-22)
3. God’s character as holy (v.23-38)

The God of beauty, glory and holiness…
His beauty, glory and holiness in another place!

There’s no doubt that the Temple built by King Solomon stands as one of the most important buildings ever constructed. The Temple would stand for all to see that the God of Israel was glorious, and that He lived among His people. In the text of 1 Kings 6:1-13, we are introduced to the size and the layout of the Temple under God’s instructions. But God wasn’t interested in the mere ‘shell’ of the building alone. This text also tells of the heart matters that Solomon needed to get right so he could walk before the Lord.

Message

Outline

• The Temple of Solomon!
• So much detail
• Psalm 127: 1 ‘Unless the Lord builds the house…’
• Note from the text the…

1. Promises that were fulfilled (v.1)
2. Details that were recorded (v.2-10)
3. Responsibilities that were encouraged (v.11-13)

And what are you building?
Where Solomon failed….!

One of the most important aspects of Solomon’s reign as King was the construction of the Temple of the Lord. This great and significant work was something that God had forbidden King David from doing, but had made clear that David’s son would complete the task. And what a task it was! With the help of King Hiram of Tyre, the gathering of the raw materials was a project of note in itself. As Solomon poits us to Jesus, we are reminded that Jesus gathers His people in to be His new Temple. People of raw material – being transformed into ‘living stones’ that make up His glorious body – the church.

Message

Outline

• The most notable building ever built?
• Modern day? Taj Mahal? Sydney Opera house?
• Moving on to Solomon and the Temple of the Lord
• Note from the text…

1. The conversations that led to cooperation (v.1-9)
2. The cooperation that led to contracts (v.10-18)
3. The contracts that led to construction (v.13-18)

The Church – the new Temple
Being ‘living stones’ for the glory of the builder!

With his throne and kingdom now well established, the text of 1 Kings 4:1-34, explains for readers the way in which Solomon’s kingdom was organized and structured. This was most necessary because of the size of the projects being overseen and the vast wealth that the King had amassed. The text also informs us that Solomon’s wisdom just kept of growing and was soon to be known throughout the world. All this blessing and prosperity reminds us of the greatness of the Kingdom that Jesus will bring in – that He will share with His people, blessings not created by taxes and forced labour but by and because of His great grace.

Message

Outline

• That conflict between leaders and voters..
• The kingdom under Saul, David and now Solomon
• Further details about the king’s wisdom
• Note from the text…
1.The people of the King’s portfolios (v.1-19)

2. The vastness of the King’s wealth (v.20-28)

3. The extent of the King’s wisdom (v.29-34)

God’s promises to Abraham being fulfilled
God’s better promises to us in Christ still to come!

With the previous part of the chapter telling us how God blessed Solomon with wisdom, the text of 1 Kings 3:16-28 gives us some information as to how that wisdom was expressed in Solomon’s life as king. Called upon to give a ruling in a case where it was ‘she said’ versus ‘she said’, the King quickly saw through the confusion to see a way of making the facts plain. The story reminds us that one day we will all need to appear before the throne of Christ to be judged by Him. There is only one safe place to be – on His side already!

Message

Outline

• Like the challenge of a good riddle?
• A real life circumstance!
• Solomon’s wisdom is from the Lord
• Note from the text…
1.The evidence of the case presented to the King (v.16-21)

2. The judgment of the case as determined by the King (v.22-27)
3. The fame of this case that glorified the King (v.28)

How not to apply this story
Only one safe place to stand before the Judge!