1 Kings 8:22-66

Memory Verse: 8:27

Questions

Introduction

Outline

I. Let Your Word Come True (8:22-26)

>1. What was the occasion? (8:1)

* 1 Kings 8:1 "Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the LORD's covenant from Zion, the City of David."

* 2 Chronicles 6:12-42 also records Solomon's Prayer/Sermon of dedication.

* 2 Chronicles 5:3 says this was during "the festival in the seventh month." The Feast of Tabernacles is in the Hebrew calendar seventh month. The month is designated by its Canaanite name Ethanim in 1 Kings 8:2. The Hebrew name is Tishri. According to 1 Kings 6:38 the temple was completed in the eighth month of Solomon's 11th year (Sept.-Oct. 959 B.C.) This celebration of dedication took place either a month before the completion of the work or 11 months after, probably the later.

* "the ark of the LORD's covenant" -The Ten Commandments are called the "words of the covenant" in Exodus 34:28. The stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed are called the "tablets of the covenant" in Deut. 9:9. The ark in which the tablets were kept (Exodus 25:16, 21; 40:20; Deut. 10:1-5) is thus sometimes called the "ark of the LORD" (Joshua 3:13, 4:11), the "ark of the Testimony" (Exodus 30:6, 31:7), and the "ark of God" (1 Samual 3:3, 4:11, 17, 21, 5:1-2).

* "bring up the ark of the LORD's covenant from Zion, the City of David" -David had brought it to Jerusalem on Mount Zion 40 years earlier. He put it in a tent that he had specially made (1 Chron. 15:26, 16:1-3).

* Solomon finished the temple as his father David had instructed. Building the temple took seven years. Add to that the many years that David prepared. Building the temple was a continual drain on Solomon and all Israel. People were forced to work many hours, days, months, years, and decades. The financial cost was a stack of coins that fell hard on the people. A whole generation broke their backs and wallets; unrecognized solemn dedication.

The temple was finally finished. How great it feels to complete a hard, detailed, and complex project. How much more satisfying it is to know that the Lord God blessed the work!

When Jesus looked at the people of Israel and Judah he saw that they were sheep without a shepherd. He declared, "The harvest is plentiful. But the workers are few." (Matt. 9:37, Luke 10:2) Jesus with these words honors his workers who are few in number in crowds of people who do not recognize them.

I think of all the people before me who silently toiled in the fields of people for the Name of Jesus; those who cared for children, adolescents, tweens, couples, elderly. They helped the poor and wealthy; intelligent and educated as well as the mentally unstable; healthy, sick, and terminally ill; they petitioned the Lord on their knees in their tears; they worked endless hours writing and creating art to magnify his name. Few saw their beautiful love, most were unrecognized and not appreciated. I appreciate you. Jesus appreciates you.

* The Lord appeared in a dark cloud when the temple that Solomon built was dedicated (2 Chron. 5:14,16:1). A cloud also enveloped Mount Sinai when the Lord God descended to talk with Moses giving him the ten commandments. A pillar of cloud also lead the Israelites in the desert to the promised land. Solomon remembered that the Lord dwells in a dark cloud. He and all Israel knew that the Lord God entered the temple when they dedicated it.

The Lord never told anyone to build a temple. This was David's idea (1 Kings 8:17). The Lord never told David to build it in Jerusalem. This was David's idea. However, at the dedication the LORD God, the God of Israel chose the temple in Jerusalem for his Name to be there.

The Name signifies God's revealed character or self-revelation as a person. The Name is equivalent to the Lord himself. The temple in Jerusalem bore the Name as long as the Lord dwelt there as a place where people could meet with the Lord. However, because of sin Israel went into captivity. So the Lord left the temple and traveled with them.

Two thousand years ago the Lord left the temple again. The curtain tore in two as the Lord left. He now dwells in the temple inside his followers. The Name now dwells in his people (John 14:20; Eph. 2:21). 1 Cor. 3:16 says, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"

* See a drawing by Martin Luther (1483-1546) to the right titled Soloman Prays to Dedicate the Temple. Solomon delivers a prayer of dedication for the new temple. The image is flanked by Eve in the garden (left) and an allegorical figure representing the Church.. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>How did Solomon pray? (22, 54)

* 1 Kings 8:22 "Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven"

* 1 Kings 8:54 "When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the LORD, he rose from before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven."

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>How did he address God and compare it to the prayer Jesus taught his disciples? (23-24; Matt. 6:9)

* 1 Kings 8:23-24 "and said: "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below--you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it--as it is today."

* Matthew 6:9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name"

* "O LORD"

* "God of Israel"

* "there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below"

* "you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way"

* "kept your promise"

* God always keeps his promises. The Lord, God of Israel, the one and only God kept his promises to David (15). God's promise was based on a covenant of love (14). The covenant was a two-sided covenant.

God's side of the covenant of love was that he would ensure that Israel would obtain the promised land and have peace on every side. God also promised to make one of David's son's king. God promised to dwell in the temple that David started and Solomon finished. God kept these promises (15).

David and his sons' side of the covenant of love was to be careful in all they do to walk before God according to the law, the covenant between God and Israel. David kept his side of the covenant for the most part. He did fail with Bathsheba and Uriah and the counting of the men eligible to fight.

God has made a covenant of love with the church (Luke22:20). Jesus' death, resurrection, and sending the Holy Spirit were his part of the covenant. My side of the covenant is to believe in him wholeheartedly. Just as with the covenant with Israel I am to continue wholeheartedly (15).

Jesus promised many things for me and my future. I can and should remember them all.

>2. What was Solomon's first prayer topic and compare it to what the Lord told Solomon? (25-26, 6:11-12)

* 1 Kings 8:25-26 "Now LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said, 'You shall never fail to have a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons are careful in all they do to walk before me as you have done.' And now, O God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David my father come true."

* 1 Kings 6:11-12 "The word of the LORD came to Solomon: "As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, carry out my regulations and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father."

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>Who did he credit for being king?

* "keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said,"

* God always keeps his promises. The Lord, God of Israel, the one and only God kept his promises to David. God's promise was based on a covenant of love. The covenant was a two-sided covenant.

God's side of the covenant of love was that he would ensure that Israel would obtain the promised land and have peace on every side. God also promised to make one of David's son's king. God promised to dwell in the temple that David started and Solomon finished. God kept these promises.

David and his sons' side of the covenant of love was to be careful in all they do to walk before God according to the law, the covenant between God and Israel. David kept his side of the covenant for the most part. He did fail with Bathsheba and Uriah and the counting of the men eligible to fight.

God has made a covenant of love with the church (Luke22:20). Jesus' death, resurrection, and sending the Holy Spirit were his part of the covenant. My side of the covenant is to believe in him wholeheartedly. Just as with the covenant with Israel I am to continue wholeheartedly.

Jesus promised many things for me and my future. I can and should remember them all.

>What was the promise the Lord made to David? (2 Sam. 7:5-16)

* 2 Samuel 7:5-16 "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. "'The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"

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II. The Heavens Cannot Contain You (8:27-30)

* See a drawing by Luiken, Jan (1649-1712) to the right titled It's a Miracle. A woman stares up at the moon and stars in the night sky with arms raised while praying. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>3. What was Solomon's second prayer topic and compare it to what the Lord told Solomon? (27, 6:13)

* 1 Kings 8:27 "But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!"

* 1 Kings 6:13 "And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel."

* "But will God really dwell on earth?" -With the construction of the temple that bore the Lord's name and the appearance of a visible manifestation of the presence of God within its courts, the erroneous notion that God was irreversibly and exclusively bound to the temple in a way that guaranteed his assistance to Israel no matter how the people lived could very easily arise (Jer. 7:4-14; Micah 3:11).

* Solomon is in the middle of prayer during the dedication of the temple. He asks a question, not apparently to God, but to himself and others. The question is almost a realization. "Will God really dwell on the earth... in this temple I have built?" Solomon was perplexed for God is too complex for even the wisest person to comprehend. That does not mean that I can come to know God in a personal intimate way.

Solomon used these verses; "give attention, hear, be open, hear, hear, hear, forgive." Deep in my being, I long for God to hear me, to see me, to pay attention to me, and to forgive me. Yet he does do all these things. The fact is that I sometimes do not believe it and therein lays the problem; faith.

Take heart for God hears. Though things do not go the way I want; he hears. Though today is a happy day; he sees. Though today is a fearful day; he is here. Though today brings depression; he comforts. Though today I sin; he forgives.

God does dwell on earth in the temple of my soul. He experiences what I experience. He knows and understands. Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28). And, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

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>4. What does the Bible teach about God? (Gen. 1:1, 2:4; Exodus 34:5-7; Deut. 33:26-27; and 1 Sam. 2:2; and 2 Chron. 14:11)

* Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

* Genesis 2:4 "This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens"

* Exodus 34:5-7 "Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."

* Deuteronomy 33:26-27 "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!'"

* 1 Samuel 2:2 "There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God."

* 2 Chronicles 14:11 "Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you."

* Jeremiah 10:6-7 "No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Who should not revere you, O King of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you."

>How is God able to dwell on earth? (Gen. 18:1, 7-10; Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:15-17; John 8:58; Exodus 3:13-15; Matt. 22:41-45; Mark 10:27, 14:61-64; Gen. 3:8-9)

* Genesis 18:1, 7-10 "The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day... Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree. "Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him. "There, in the tent," he said. Then the LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him."

* Hebrews 1:3 "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."

* Colossians 1:15-17 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

* John 8:58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

* Exodus 3:13-15 "Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob--has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation."

* Matthew 22:41-45 "While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" "The son of David," they replied. He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says, 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."' If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?'"

* Mark 14:61-64 "But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death."

* Mark 10:27 "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

* Genesis 3:8-9 "Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?""

>5. Even though the glory of the Lord had shown in the temple (10-11) what did Solomon ask? (28-30)

* 1 Kings 8:28-30 "Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive."

* "give attention"

* "his plea for mercy"

* "Hear the cry and the prayer"

* "May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day"

* "so that you will hear the prayer"

* "Hear the supplication"

* "they pray toward this place" -When an Israelite was unable to pray in the temple itself, he was to direct his prayers toward the place where God had pledged to be present among his people.

>When the Lord hears his servant what did Solomon want first and foremost?

* "when you hear, forgive"

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>What did Solomon know about human nautre? (46)

* 1 Kings 8:46 "When they sin against you--for there is no one who does not sin--and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near"

* "for there is no one who does not sin"

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III. Seven Reasons Israel Will Seek the Lord at the Temple (8:31-61)

* See a drawing by Taylor, Jeremy(1613-1669) to the right titled Soloman Prays to Dedicate the Temple. Solomon delivers a prayer of dedication for the new temple. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>6. What is the first reason a man might go to the Lord in prayer? (31-32)

* 1 Kings 8:31-32 "When a man wrongs his neighbor and is required to take an oath and he comes and swears the oath before your altar in this temple, then hear from heaven and act. Judge between your servants, condemning the guilty and bringing down on his own head what he has done. Declare the innocent not guilty, and so establish his innocence."

* "required to take an oath" -In cases such as default in pledges (Exodus 22:10-12) or alleged adultery (Num. 5:11-31) when there was insufficient evidence to establish the legitimacy of the charge, the supposed offender was required to take an oath of innocence at the sanctuary. Such an oath, with its attendant blessings and curses, was considered a divinely given means of determining innocence or guilt since the consequences of the oath became apparent in the life of the individual either by his experiencing the blessing or the curse or by direct divine revelation throgh the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:29-30; Lev. 8:8; Num. 27:21) Annaias and Sapphira death when they were brought before the apostles because they lied to the whole congregation about giving the full offering is a New Testament equivalent.

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* "hear from heaven and act" -The oath was an appeal to God to act and not an automatic power that worked in a magical way.

* We wrong others and we show random acts of kindness. Yet we wrong neighbors more than we are kind to them. This is human fallen nature. Jesus' parable of the good Samaritan has three men who are wronged, one who is kind, and one who is paid to help someone wronged. No one admitted they were wrong.

The Lord knows our fallen heart. So he created laws to show us the way of righteousness and justice (Exodus 22:10-11; Lev. 6:1-5). The Israelites were to swear before the Lord their innocence. These protected the innocent.

The temple was the place where to Israelites were to take an oath (22). The priest would hear them. The Lord would hear, judge, and act (23). The guilty would suffer the consequences of his act, "bringing down on his own head what he has done." (23)

Now I am the temple of the Lord for the Spirit of God dwells in me. Every morning I seek quiet time with the Lord in his temple. I ask the Spirit to reveal his work in his temple during the last 24 hours and my actions towards others with his temple in the past 24 hours. This is the New Covenant's way of taking an oath before the Lord's altar in his temple.

>Why would he be required to take an oath? (Exodus 22:11; Matt.5:33-37)

* Exodus 22:11 "the issue between them will be settled by the taking of an oath before the LORD that the neighbor did not lay hands on the other person's property. The owner is to accept this, and no restitution is required."

* Matthew 5:33-37 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

* "the taking of an oath before the LORD" -In cases such as default in pledges (Exodus 22:10-12) or alleged adultery (Num. 5:11-31) when there was insufficient evidence to establish the legitimacy of the charge, the supposed offender was required to take an oath of innocence at the sanctuary. Such an oath, with its attendant blessings and curses, was considered a divinely given means of determining innocence or guilt since the consequences of the oath became apparent in the life of the individual either by his experiencing the blessing or the curse or by direct divine revelation throgh the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:29-30; Lev. 8:8; Num. 27:21) Annaias and Sapphira death when they were brought before the apostles because they lied to the whole congregation about giving the full offering is a New Testament equivalent.

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>What is the second reason? (33-34)

* 1 Kings 8:33-34 "When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, and when they turn back to you and confess your name, praying and making supplication to you in this temple, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them back to the land you gave to their fathers."

* "defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you" -Defeat by enemies was listed in Deut. 28:25 as one of the curses that wold come on Israel if they disobeyed the covenant. Solomon's prayer reflects an awareness of the covenant obligations the Lord had placed on his people and a knowledge of the consiquences that disobedience would entail.

* Israel was the Lord's chosen people because of the faith of Abraham. He helped them grow and mature. He made a covenant with them at Mount Sinai. He was their God and they were his people.

The covenant they agreed to was two-sided, each had their part to uphold. When they sinned the Lord did not abandon them. He always dealt with them when they broke their end of the covenant.

The first thing the Lord would do when they sinned (the main one was always turning away from God and worshiping idols) was to remove his hand of protection and blessing. This would cause the Israelites to turn back to the Lord and confess his name. They would pray and make supplication. The temple Solomon had just dedicated was the place where they were to pray and make supplication.

When the Israelites repented in this manner the Lord would hear them and forgive the sins of his people. When they were brought into captivity he brought them back to the promised land.

Today I live in a new covenant of the blood of the lamb, Jesus. Yet the Lord is the same with me and all in the new covenant as he was with Israel and their covenant. He chose me and I stand by faith (Mark 2:5; Luke 7:50). Jesus promised that he would never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).

If and when I sin I have one who speaks to the Father in my defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One (1 John 2:1). I can confess my sin. He is faithful and just and will forgive me my sins and purify me from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9,10) I do not need to go to the temple, church, pastor, or priest for since God's Spirit dwells in me I am a temple and a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

>How does Jesus fulfill this? (1 John 2:1-2)

* 1 John 2:1-2 "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

* Matthew 6:12 "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

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>7. What is the third reason? (35-36)

* 1 Kings 8:35-36 "When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance."

* "there is no rain" -Drought was another of the covenant curses listed in Deut. 28:22-24.

* When Israel sinned by worshiping idols one of the things that caused them to come back to him was drought. God shut up the heavens when they sinned. They admitted their sin and stopped doing it when they were disciplined.

When Israel lived according to the covenant, the right way to live, blessed them by sending rain. The crops grew, livestock and humans drank water, and people bathed regularly. Life was pleasant.

Does God always interact this way with his people? Does he interact with his people this way today, in the age of grace?

God does not always interact this way with those who do not believe in him. However, God does orchestrate everyone's life so that they will have the chance to know him and enter a personal relationship with them.

However, when it comes to his people God does interact this way with them, to a point. God will do anything to keep his people from doing things that will harm them and those around him.

However, he does not force us to make the right decision. He always lets me make the decision. If I sin God will lead me to repentance, but I need to decide. If I stubbornly refuse to repent God will let me do what I have decided no matter how much it pains me and him.

>What is the Lord trying to teach? (Matt. 6:11; Prov. 30:8-9)

* Matthew 6:11 "Give us today our daily bread."

* Proverbs 30:8-9 "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."

* "Teach them the right way to live"

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>What is the fourth reason? (37-40)

* 1 Kings 8:37-40 "When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel--each one aware of the afflictions of his own heart, and spreading out his hands toward this temple-- then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our fathers."

* "deal with each man according to all he does" -This is not to be viewed as a request for retribution for the wrong committed (forgiveness and retribution are mutually exclusive), but as a desire for whatever disciple God in his wisdom may use to correct his people and to instruct them in the way of the covenant (Proverbs 3:11; Hebrews 12:5-15).

* "aware of the afflictions of his own heart" -2 Chronicles 6:29 states, "each one aware of his afflictions and pains". Conscious of one's guilt before God, whith an attitude of repentance and the desire for God's forgiveness and grace. (Psalm 38:17-18; Jer. 17:9)

* "so that they will fear you and walk in your ways all the time they live in the land" -1 Kings 8:40 does not have the phrase "and walk in your ways".

* "fear you" -Honor, respect, and obediently serve God.

* God deals with each person according to what they do (30). God searches each person's heart (30). He knows my soul every moment; every breath and between breaths.

Only God knows my thoughts and motives (30). The devil does not know, spouses do not know, parents and children do not know, peers, and co-workers do not know what makes me live as I do. God knows all I have done, all I am doing, and all I will do, and why I have and will act in this way. God knows me even better than I know myself.

What does God do with the knowledge of who I am? He does not use knowledge of me for his selfish gain. The Lord God does not use knowledge of me with disdain. He interacts with me in love, wisdom, and strength.

The Lord Jesus gives each person the proper and good reply to the decisions they make. God does all so that I may have a proper relationship with him and others. The best relations are in love with mind, heart, body, and strength.

A loving relationship with God includes fear of him and walking in his ways all the time (31). God created me in love. He has loving plans for me. If I stray from them he will not hold back anything that will cause me to return to the good life. If need be God will bring famine, plague, blight, locusts, or enemies besieging me.

>Why does the afflictions of the heart come?

* "so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land" -2 Chronicles 6:31 adds the phrase "and walk in your ways".

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>8. What is the fifth reason? (41-43)

* 1 Kings 8:41-43 "As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name-- for men will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm--when he comes and prays toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name."

* One God alone exists. He is the God of all. He is the Father of all. Though the temple was in Jerusalem all could go to the temple and call on his name (42). God would hear them (43).

God dwells in heaven. His name is known throughout the earth.

Jesus told his disciples just before his arrest, trial, death, and resurrection. "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." (John 10:16) Now is the time Jesus is gathering people from all nations to his sheep pen. I am not of a descendant of Israel, yet I am a part of Jesus' flock.

Jesus told his disciples just before His ascension, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will not be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16)

A foreigner needed to take an act of faith and travel to Jerusalem to pray and worship at the temple. When he prayed with this faith he could be heard. Now, as Jesus declared, all anyone in the world needs to do is believe and be baptized to be heard.

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>What good news do foreigners have? (Acts 28:28; Matt. 6:10)

* Acts 28:28 "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"

* Matthew 6:10 "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

* "so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you"

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>What is the sixth reason? (44-45)

* 1 Kings 8:44-45 "When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray to the LORD toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause."

* Though war is bad in many ways, war is unavoidable and common in this world. The Lord had told Israel when they were to go to war and how they were to engage in war (44). When Israel was sent to war they were to pray toward the temple built for His Name. The Lord God would hear from heaven and uphold their cause (45).

War is conflict on a national scale. There are personal wars too. Conflict is a part of life. Conflict is not always bad. I once thought all conflict was not good and avoided conflicts. Now I see that conflict is often the only process to obtain redemption, resolution, and restoration.

Jesus on the night he was betrayed was in conflict. His human body did not want to go through crucifixion. So he prayed, "Father, take this cup from me." His godly nature finally decided to submit himself to sacrifice. So he prayed, "Not my will, but yours be done."

When conflict comes I can take Jesus' example and Solomon's advice. I can go to my Father in heaven in prayer. I do not need to go to a temple of stone, wood, and iron for the Spirit lives in me.

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>Who is our enemy? (Matt. 6:13, Eph. 6:10-12)

* Ephesians 6:10-12 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

* Matthew 6:13 "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

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>9. What is the seventh reason? (46-51)

* 1 Kings 8:46-51 "When they sin against you--for there is no one who does not sin--and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their conquerors to show them mercy; for they are your people and your inheritance, whom you brought out of Egypt, out of that iron-smelting furnace."

* Solomon's prayer to the Lord God during the temple dedication ceremony continues with a section containing "The Way of Redemption and Restoration." "The Romans Road" is a witnessing tool that uses verses from Paul's letter to the Roman congregation as a traverse to salvation. Solomon's "Way of Redemption and Restoration" in these three verses is the same.

"There is no one who does not sin" (36). When we sin we do so first and foremost against God (36). The statements "when we sin", "I have sinned", and "if I sin" are joined with "because I sinned" to form the essence of the fallen nature all are possessed with. Sin is defined as "we have done wrong and acted wickedly" (37).

Sin has consequences. Sin angers God (36). Thus, God removes his protection and help. Naturally and immediately the enemy, Satan takes us captive far away from God (36). Satan inflicts misery and pain in the life of captivity. Also, the enemy within, our sinful nature possesses our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Our sinful nature fools us into believing the resistance to all that is right and good will bring us peace, love, and contentment.

Redemption and Restoration start with awareness, acceptance, and confession, "I have sinned, have done wrong and acted wickedly." (37) The confession is "a change of heart" in the land of captivity (37). It is a plead with God (37) and a turning back to God will all ones heart and soul in the land of captivity where one is taken (38). This is repenting (37).

God the Father in heaven, his dwelling place hears the prayer and plead of a changed heart (39). He forgives those who sinned against him (39). He upholds their cause (39). He rescues them from captivity. He brings them back to him.

Solomon does not state here that Redemption and Restoration are made possible because of the shedding of Jesus' blood when he was crucified. Yet, the whole point of temple worship was to foreshadow Jesus, the lamb of God.

* Chronicles does not have the ending of Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:50-53. Chronicles is a repetition of Psalm 132:8-10.

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>What is Solomon's request? (52-53)

* 1 Kings 8:52-53 "May your eyes be open to your servant's plea and to the plea of your people Israel, and may you listen to them whenever they cry out to you. For you singled them out from all the nations of the world to be your own inheritance, just as you declared through your servant Moses when you, O Sovereign LORD, brought our fathers out of Egypt."

* Solomon asked the Lord his God to keep his eyes open and ears attentive to the prayers offered in the temple (40). Everyone including me wants God to not only hear but act on prayers, supplications, and requests as I have asked.

The Lord God has answered some of my prayers according to how I have asked. Yet, others he did not. I have heard many messages and read comments on the subject of prayers. The Bible has a lot of prayers in it and people are thankful when they are answered. Jesus had much to say about prayer and answered people's requests as they asked. Yet still, I am not happy about the prayer requests awaiting a positive yes to return. I am reminded of how Abraham waited 25 years to receive his request for a son. So I wait.

Solomon also wanted the LORD God to rest in the temple (41). This too I want for now I am his temple. Come Lord and rest in my that I may have rest in you. Bless me with your presence. Do not delay your positive yes to my request. Be with me a man of little faith.

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>What did Solomon remind the people? (55-61)

* 1 Kings 8:55-61 "He stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying: "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. May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers. 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. But your hearts must be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time."

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* See a painting depicting the temple dedication. This study card is now in public domain.

IV. The Temple Dedicated (8:62-66)

>10. What is a fellowship offering?

* 1 Kings 8:62-63 "Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD. Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to the LORD: twenty-two thousand cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the temple of the LORD."

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>What does it mean to consecrate something?

* 1 Kings 8:64 "On that same day the king consecrated the middle part of the courtyard in front of the temple of the LORD, and there he offered burnt offerings, grain offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings."

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>How did the people feel as they left?

* 1 Kings 8:65-66 "So Solomon observed the festival at that time, and all Israel with him--a vast assembly, people from Lebo Hamath to the Wadi of Egypt. They celebrated it before the LORD our God for seven days and seven days more, fourteen days in all. On the following day he sent the people away. 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."

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