Reminders about Papers

• Due Wednesday, 5 November

• Papers may be turned in until 5:30 pm on that day

• No late papers (don’t even ask!)

• Be sure to turn in all your preliminary work along with the final one-page product; it contributes to your grade

• An extra credit note: Due Monday

Psalm 100:5

• KI TOV ADONAI• Because good (is) the LORD• LE’OLAM HASDO (2X)• To eternity (is) His hesed • VE’AD DOR VE-DOR (2X)• And unto generation and generation• EMUNATO • His faithfulness

Solomon:

Consolidating the Kingdom

Introduction

• Review– How did David create political and religious unity in

his kingdom?– What event prepared the way for the future building of

the Temple?

• For what is Solomon best known?• A reminder about sources: What did you see in I

Kings that was not in II Chronicles? (and vice versa?)

Establishing Solomon as King

• David as aging king – Abishag’s role• Adonijah’s scheme to become king• David’s choice of Solomon / the Lord’s choice of

Solomon• David’s preparations for the Temple (1 Chr 28-29)• David’s charges to Solomon

– Obedience– Temple– “unfinished business” (Joab, Barzillai, Shimei)

• The end of Adonijah – significance of his request• Solomon’s prayer for wisdom

Geo-politics

• A reminder – Deuteronomy 17:16-17• Peace in the expanded kingdom (I Kings 4:21)• International trade relations and treaties (I Kings

9:10-10:29) – the Queen from Sheba• Alliance with Pharaoh of Egypt (I Kings 3:1) –

married Pharaoh’s daughter• Internal affairs:

– Strengthening defenses (Megiddo, Gezer, Hazor)– Conscription of “native populations”

The Empire in Solomon’s Time

The Temple (fulfillment of Dt 12)

• Geography of Jerusalem– City of David– Kidron Valley– Gihon Spring

• Location of Temple

Nature and purposes of the Temple

• Central place of worship• Sacred space – “access to heaven”

– The cloud of glory (1 Chr 5:13-14)– Fire from heaven (1 Chr 7:1-3)

• Reflection of God’s dwelling in heaven– I Chronicles 28:18– Ezekiel 1:4-28– Hebrews 8:5; 9:23-24

• Storage place for nation’s wealth– I Kings 7:51 and II Chronicles 5:1

• Design and furnishings

View from Northeast

The “Sea”

Interior

Winged Cherubim

Front Entrance and Courtyard

Work of Levites as Temple Personnel (I Chronicles 23-26)

• Gatekeepers (ch 26)

• Set apart for ministry of prophesying and praise with musical instruments (ch 25)

• In charge of treasuries (26:20)

• Officials and judges (26:29)

Temple Dedication(on the Feast of Tabernacles)

• Solomon’s prayer (I Kings 8 and II Chronicles 6)– Recalling the promise to David– The “dwelling place” for God’s Name– The covenant blessings and curses reflected (cf. Lev

26)

• Dedication ceremony• God’s response (II Chronicles 7:14)

– If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.”

The Demise of Solomon’s Empire[not in Chronicles]

• Wives and alliances

• Idolatry

• Opposition and rebellion– Hadad from Edom– Rezon in Aram (Syria)– Jereboam, son of Nebat

• Death after approximately 40 years’ rule