179.    SOLOMON SUCCEEDS DAVID

'Then Solomon sat on the throne of Yahweh as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him."

David was now old and "stricken in years" (v.l) and it had become obvious that the day of his death drew near. Since his sin with Bathsheba, David's house had had many troubles — Absalom, his son tried to take the kingdom from him, but he had been killed, and now with David weak in bed, near death, another son, Adonijah, seized the opportunity to revolt against his father.

1 Kings 1; 2:1-12; 1 Chronicles 28; 29.

ADONlJAH'S REVOLT. 1 Kings 1:1-31.

Adonijah prepared chariots and horsemen, and gathered many people on his side, such as Joab, the captain of David's army and Abiathar the priest to help him take the throne. Adonijah prepared a feast and the peo­ple rejoiced and cried out "God save King Adonijah" (v.25).

The news that Adonijah was going to take the throne spread quickly. Nathan the prophet realised that something had to be done to stop Adonijah because God had promised the throne to Solomon (1 Chron. 22:9). He went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother and told her of Adoni­jah's revolt. Nathan proposed a plan to get David to anoint Solomon as king. Bathsheba went to David, who was confined to his bed, and told him what was happening. She said "My lord, thou swarest by Yahweh thy God unto thine handmaid, saying 'Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon thy throne', and now behold Adoni­jah reigneth" (v.17, 18). Bathsheba knew that her life and Solomon's life would be in danger if Adonijah became king. While she was speaking Nathan the prophet came and confirmed the words of Bathsheba, and he urged David to act quickly. David told Bathsheba that Solomon should be king.

SOLOMON ANOINTED KING. 1 Kings 1:32-40.

David called Nathan the prophet, Zadok the priest and Benaiah, one of David's mighty men and told them what to do.

"Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save King Solomon. Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come up and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah" (v.33-35). David's will was duly carried out and there was great rejoicing in Jerusalem. Solomon clearly met with the people's approval, for they all came and "rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them" (v.40).

ADONIJAH'S FESTIVITY BECOMES FEAR. 1 Kings 1:41-53.

The cries of joy echoed down the Kidron Valley and came to the attention of Adonijah's guests. Then the news came from Jerusalem "Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king ..." (v.43-48). Adonijah and his guests were gripped with fear. Their presence there amounted to treachery and rebellion against David and Yahweh. They wasted no time in abandoning Adonijah and "went every man his way." Adonijah trembled and he realised his life was in danger. He went to the Tabernacle I and took hold of the horns of the altar in hope of obtaining mercy. He| sought an oath from Solomon that he would not be slain. In wisdom Solomon granted him reprieve provided wickedness be not found with him in the future.

SOLOMON FORMALLY MADE KING. 1 Chronicles 28, 29.

Later all Israel was gathered to see Solomon formally made king. David was old and weak, yet on this occasion he "stood upon his feet" (1 Chron. 28:2) to address the people. He told the people that God had chosen Solomon from all his sons to sit upon the throne. He encouraged Solomon "to know God and to serve him with a perfect heart and willing mind" (1 Chron. 28:9).

Solomon had been chosen by God to build the Temple. David had wanted to build this house for God, but because he was a man of war God had said that his son Solomon was to build it.

David had stored up great wealth and material for the Temple. He said, "Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of God, gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, precious stones and marble in abundance" (1 Chron. 29:2). David had given Solomon the plans for building the Temple. David had received these plans from God (1 Chron. 28:11-19).

David called upon the people to give willingly for the Temple — and they did. "The people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Yahweh, and David the king also rejoiced with great joy" (1 Chron. 29:9).

David's heart overflowed with thanks to Yahweh and the people sacrificed and rejoiced as Solomon was anointed the "second time" as king "on the throne of Yahweh instead of David his father" (1 Chron. 29:20-23).

GOD'S RESPONSE TO SOLOMON'S UNSELFISH REQUEST. 1 Kings 3:1-15.

"Solomon loved Yahweh, walking in the statutes of David his father" (1 Kings 3:3). So, shortly after David's death, Solomon gathered all the leaders of Israel to the Tabernacle at Gibeon to worship and offer sacrifices (2 Chron. 1:2-6). Here we see the faithfulness of Solomon in trying to unite Israel on the basis of service to Yahweh.

While Solomon was at Gibeon, Yahweh appeared to him in a dream and said, "Ask what I shall give thee" (v.5). What a marvellous question for God to ask a man! Yet Yahweh knew the heart of Solomon. He knew Solomon had gathered the leaders to unite them as a nation obedient before God. Solomon's heart was full of the greatness of the task that had now come upon his shoulders, for he was to be the judge of all the nation. He was to rule them with righteousness before Yahweh. The task was clear, but how to perform it to the glory of Yahweh seemed beyond him, so when Yahweh asked what he wanted, he thought not of himself but of the work he was to do before God. He replied, "Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people that I may discern between good and bad, for who is able to judge this Thy so great a people" (v.9).

When the desires of the heart of Solomon were revealed and it was seen that he thought not of himself, but rather how he might serve Yahweh, God was well pleased. God therefore gave him a "wise and an understan­ding heart" (v.12) but above this God also gave riches and honour and a promise of long life if he continued to walk in God's ways (v. 11-13).

SOLOMON THE WISE JUDGE. 1 Kings 3:16-28.

The wisdom which God had given Solomon was continually put to the test, as it was on the occasion when two women presented themselves before Solomon with one baby. Both these women lived in the one house and to each a baby had been born, but one of the children had died in bed when its mother accidentally laid on it. Now both of the women claimed the living baby. One said the other had got up during the night and changed the babies over and the other denied this. But which one was tell­ing the truth? A very difficult problem to solve — but Solomon with his God-given wisdom knew human nature. The people present would be shocked to hear him say, "Bring me a sword — divide the living child in two and give half to the one and half to the other." But now the true mother was revealed for no mother would wish her child to be killed; she would rather give it away than see it die. So she said, "O, my Lord, give her the living child and in no wise slay it": but the other woman said, "let it be divided" (v.26). So Solomon ordered that the child be given to its mother, and when the news of this judgment spread through Israel the people feared the king for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him (v.28).

LESSON FOR US:

As Solomon asked wisdom of God so we should do likewise. True wisdom is knowing how to apply in our lives the things we learn from the word of God. Solomon wrote, "The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10). He also wrote, "incline thine ear unto wisdom and apply thine heart to understanding" (Proverbs 2:2). "Yahweh giveth wisdom" (Proverbs 2:6), and so James wrote, "If any lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).

Let us follow the words which David gave to Solomon (1 Chron. 28:9). "To know" God — is to read and learn of Him and all His ways of judg­ment and mercy: "To serve" Him is to obey those things which will please God, doing His will at all times "with a perfect heart and willing mind". Let us do those things that please God with pureness of motive and with willingness, not grudgingly and with discontentment. Let us have zeal to do the things of God and seeking wisdom from God that we may do all to His praise and glory.

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"Story of the Bible" (H.P. Mansfield)—Vol. 4, No. 7.

"The Man David" (H. Tennant)—pp. 207-215.

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS

1. Describe the anointing of Solomon as King.

2. What did Solomon request when God said to him, "Ask what I shall give thee"?

3. Using the incident of the two women and the baby, show the power of Solomon's God given wisdom.

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. Adonijah set himself up as king, but God had promised the throne to Solomon — describe the events and what David did to establish Solomon on his throne.

2. Using Solomon as an example, explain how we can gain true wisdom so that we can "know" and "serve" God.

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON

In the fourth year of his reign, Solomon built the "house of the LORD". Like the tabernacle before it, its structure, furniture and priestly ser­vices were a parable of the redemptive work of Christ yet to be revealed — "a shadow of heaven­ly things" (Ex. 25:40; Heb, 8:5; 9:9, 23, 24), It was an exceedingly beautiful structure and became the soul and seat of the nation's affections (1 Chron. 22:5; 1 Kgs. 10:5; Isa. 64:11). The details of its structure and dedication are twice recorded (1 Kgs. 5-8; 2 Chron. 2-7).

The reign of Solomon foreshadowed Messiah's and the Temple was typical of the "house of grayer for all nations" to be built by David's greatest son and heir (Isa. 56:7; 2 Sam. 7:13; Zech. 6:12, 13).

SITE: Mount Moriah, where earlier Abraham had "offered" Isaac, and David had sacrificed that the plague might be stopped (cp. 2 Chron. 3:1; 1 Chron. 21:22-30; 22:1; Gen. 22:2, 14; Deut. 12:11).

TIME OF BUILDING: 7½  years. It commenced in the 2nd month of Solomon's 4th year and was completed in the 8th month of his 11th year (1 Kgs. 6:1, 37, 38; 2 Chron. 3:2).

LABOUR FORCE: Lumbermen, carpenters, burden-bearers and stone masons were drawn from Israel and Tyre, while the chief officers were Solomon's servants (1 Kgs. 5:6, 13-18; 2 Chron. 2:17; cp. Isa. 60:10-13).

GENERAL PLAN: Proportional to the Tabernacle, but basic dimensions doubled and ornamenta­tion richer. Interior measurements: length 60 cubits, breadth 20 cubits, height 30 cubits. It was divided into 3 sections, namely, The Most Holy Place (Oracle), The Holy Place, and The Court.

• The   walls   were   made   of   quarried   stone shaped and hewn prior to construction. These were lined with cedar, carved with cherubim, palm trees, open  flowers and gourds and overlaid with gold (1 Kgs. 6: 7, 15, 18, 21, 29).

• The Floors were of fir or cypress and lined with gold (1 Kgs. 6:15, 30).

• The Ceiling was o' beams and planks of cedar and lined with gold (1 Kgs. 6:9, 22).

• The Doors of the Most Holy Place were of olive carved with cherubim, palm trees, open
  flowers and overlaid with gold (1 Kgs. 6:31-32).

• The Doors of the Holy Place were 2 in number and each had 2 folding leaves. They were of fir and similarly carved and lined (1 Kgs. 6:33-35).

MATERIALS — SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

1. STONE. These stones were taken from the earth   and   shaped   beforehand   to   God's specifications. In a similar way the saints, the "living stones" of God's spiritual house, are being   "taken   out   of" the Gentiles and prepared as God's abiding places (1 Kgs. 6:7; 1 Pet. 2:5; John 14:23).

2. TIMBERS.

   1. Cedar—very durable  =   Incorruption (Ps. 92:12; 1 Cor. 15:53).

   2. Fir—very strong = Strength of God (Eph.6:10; Hab. 3:19)

   3. Olive—produced the oil which illuminated the Holy Place = Enlightenment of the Spirit Word (Ex. 27:20; Ps. 119:130;  Neh. 9:20, 30; Zech. 4:14; Acts 10:38; Rev. 1:20).

3. METALS. Gold was used exclusively in the Holy and Most Holy Places (see notes on Most Holy for significance), while brass was
   used for the Court (see notes on Brasen Altar for significance).

THE OUTER COURT

Where acceptable worship commenced = MEN­TAL SANCTIFICATION AND CLEANSING.

Special Features:

1. BRASEN ALTAR (2 Chron. 4:1). Was "most holy" (Ex. 29:37) = Christ (Heb.  13:10).  It "made holy" that which touched it (Heb. 2:10). It was the first object barring direct access to the Most Holy and speaks of the prerequisite of   sacrifice   at   the Christ-altar (Rom. 12:1,2) Brass = Sin's flesh (Num. 16:38-39; 31:22-23; 21:8; Ex. 38:8; Heb. 2:14; Rom. 8:3).

2. MOLTEN SEA (2 Chron. 4:2-5; 1   Kgs.   7:23-26). Equivalent to the Laver. Hands and feet (= works and walk) to be
   washed with water (= Word of God Eph. 5:26; Acts 26:16), BEFORE the brasen altar could be approached (Ps.
   26:6; Ex. 30:18-21). It stood on 12 oxen (12 = Israel's tribes, and the oxen = service). Before we can offer acceptable worship   we   must   be cleansed and educated by the Word (John 15:3; 17:17).

3. TEN LAVERS and their stands (1 Kings 7:27-39). There were 5 on each side of the Court, and they were used to wash the burnt offerings (2 Chron. 4:6; Lev. 1:9)

4. TWO PILLARS of Brass before the Holy place (1 Kings 7:15-22). Were named Jachin (= He will establish) and Boaz (= Strength). They represent “flesh” purged, strengthened and caused to stand by God’s redemption (Rev. 3:12; Dan. 10:18-19; 12:13)

5. THE ASCENT(1 Kings 10:5). Heb. “Olah”, the word generally translated “burnt offering” (cp. Ezek. 40:26) = Dedication to Yahweh’s exalted service and hence a sweet savour in His nostrils (Eph.5:2)

THE HOLY PLACE

Was midway, the second stage, and Stands for the MORAL CLEANSING required as one walks toward the Kingdom of God (1 Jn. 3:3). It is a parable of spiritual Israel in a state of covenant relationship to God. The brasen altar and molten sea (laver) are behind and the Presence of God lies ahead.

Special Features:

1. TEN LAMPSTANDS of gold, 5 on each side of the Holy Place (2 Chron. 4:7; 1 Kgs. 7:49) = Jesus and Ecclesia from whom the light of the knowledge of the Truth radiates in a dark world (2 Cor. 4:6; Jn. 1:9; Phil. 2:15; Rev. 1:20; Matt. 5:14-16; Deut. 4:6; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 6:23).

OIL — supplied by all Israel, and thus the Lampstands represent the nation (Ex. 27:20, 21).

SEVEN BRANCHES – 7 was the number of the Mosaic Covenant and so they were reminded of their relationship to God (Duet. 5:15; Ex 31:16-17; Lev. 26:15, 18, 21, 24, 34, 35). Also stands for the perfection of knowledge and wisdom pertaining to God (Rev. 4:5; 5:6; Zech. 4:2; 3:9).

TEN – Completeness, finality (Luke 19:13; Gen. 31:7; Num. 14:22; Dan. 1:20; Zech. 8:23; Lev. 26:26; Job 19:3; 1 Sam. 1:8). Hence “ten”, associated with the illuminating lampstands, represents Christ, in whom wisdom is final and complete (Col. 2:8-10; 1 Cor. 1:18-24, 30).

2. TEN TABLES OF SHEWBREAD (2 Chron. 4:8, 19; 1 Kgs. 7:48), with 12 loaves on each (Lev. 24:5-9). 12 = 12 tribes of Israel; loaves = meal offering, the fruit of their labours; and Aaron and the priests represent God. When the priests ate the “bread of God” (Lev. 21:6), God was symbolically accepted the fruit of their labours. Frankincense on the bread was burned, producing a delightful fragrance, indicating God’s pleasure (Lev.24:7). The bread was replaced “every sabbath” – the day which was the “sign of the covenant”, commemorating their redemption from bondage (Duet. 5:15; Ex. 31:16, 17).

3. INCENSE ALTAR of cedar overlaid with gold (1   Kgs.   6:22).   Ascending   incense   =   The prayers  of  saints  on  the Christ-altar (Psa. 141:2;  Luke  1:7-10;  Rev.  5:8 marg; 8:34). It belonged to the inner sanctuary or Most Holy (1 Kgs. 6:22 RSV). Hence "prayer" made ac­cess into "heaven itself" (Heb. 6:19; 9:24). On­ly fire from the brasen altar could be used, the lesson being that prayer is only acceptable on the basis of atonement for sin through Christ. No "strange incense" was permitted — only that which was divinely prescribed was to be used (Ex. 30:9, 34; Lev 16:12; Acts 4:12; John 15:4-5).

4. 4. THE VEIL (2 Chron. 3:14) Heb. "paroketh" = "separation". It was a barrier separating Israel from God. As such it was a fitting symbol of
   the impotence of the Law of Moses to trans­cend the limits of flesh nature and give life
   (Gal. 3:21; Rom. 8:3). That is, it represented the "flesh" and the Law which barred from God  (Heb. 10:20). It was made of white linen ( = the righteousness of saints, Rev. 19:7-8) in which were wrought the colours Blue ( = God's law, Num.   15:38),   Purple  (=   redemption,  John 19:2), and Scarlet (=  man and sin, Isa. 1:18; Matt. 27:28; Lev. 14:4, 6). The principles of the atonement were first wrought in Christ's flesh and by perfect obedience the veil was rent, yielding   access   to   the   Most   Holy   (Heb. 2:10-14; 5:5-8: 10:20; Matt. 27:51)

____________________________

 

"The house that is to be builded for Yahweh must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries"

 — 1 Chron. 22:5

THE MOST HOLY PLACE

The final stage, the goal of Israel's spiritual life, and as such it represents —

1. God's   presence   or   "heaven   itself"   (Ex. 25:21-22; Heb. 6:18-20; 9:24).

2. PHYSICAL CLEANSING, incorruption, immor­tality in the kingdom (Heb. 10:34; Col. 3:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:50-54).

Special Features

 

1. SHAPE — A perfect cube (1 Kgs. 6:20) = the perfected ecclesia, one with God (Rev. 21:16, 3).

2. GOLD — Overlaid everything. Is precious and incorruptible and as such stands for the riches of the "inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled" — eternal life (1 Pet. 1:4-7; Rev. 21:18; Psa 45:9, 13), and also for proven faith, by which immortality is attained (Rev. 3:18; Job 23:10).

3. CHERUBIM (1 Kgs. 6:23-28) = The perfected ecclesia, the multitudinous Christ-body, now having attained the goal (Ezek. 1; 43:1-3; Rev. 4:7; 5:9-14). In the Tabernacle the wings over­shadowed the mercy seat, but here they are also outstretched, apparently in conformity with   the   universal   aspect   of   Solomon's
   kingdom (1 Kgs. 4:21, 24, 34).

4. THE ARK  —  contained only the enduring tables of the covenant (2 Chron. 5:10) = God's
   glorious dwelling place (Num. 7:89; Psa. 80:1; 2 Cor. 5:21; John 1:14, "dwelt" = "tabernacled").

5. THE MERCY SEAT ABOVE = Christ, where God will meet with us (Ex. 25:22; Rom. 3:25 "propitiation"   =   "mercy seat"). God is a moral Being and will meet with us only on the basis of His Will for holy living as expressed in  the  10  commandments  written  on  the tables of stone beneath the mercy seat.

6. THE STAVES were left in the ark and protrud­ed into the Holy Place (1 Kgs. 8:8 RSV). It was thus ready for transit and
   the lesson was impressed that Solomon's Temple was not His true and final resting place, but rather the poor and contrite in heart,
   who tremble at His Word (Acts 7:47-49; Isa. 66:1-2; 2 Cor. 6:16)".

The mercy seat was sprinkled once a year with the atoning blood to obtain forgiveness (Lev. 16:14-15). Hence no fellowship was possible except on the basis of the "shedding of blood". Yet once atonement was effected, then "fellowship" with God was attained, as en­trance into the Most Holy sym­bolised.

OVERALL TEACHING

Is expressed in Ex. 25:8, "Let them make me a sanctuary That I may dwell among them". The Temple revealed how man could be reconciled to God. To the outer court, man came; and in the Most Holy, God dwelt. The stages in between reveal how man, by complying with God's requirements, could obtain redemp­tion and ultimately immortality. Thus the Most Holy beckoned Israel forward and stood as the goal. Here was the heart of the Sanctuary, the presence of Yahweh Himself, that condition of perfect and permanent fellowship with Him who had redeemed Israel specifically to manifest His glory in and through them.

THE TRUE HOUSE

While Solomon's Temple was awe-inspiring and God did manifest His glory in it, it could not con­tain Him. Even the builder realised this (1 Kgs. 8:11, 27). No house made by man's hand could adequately provide for Him, but He has Himself declared that He will dwell with him "that is of a contrite and humble spirit" (Isa. 57:15; 66:1-2). By faith He is taken into the hearts of such and their obedience reveals that He is there (Eph. 3:16-19; 2:21-22). "If any man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:23).

Wickedness caused the glory of God to depart from Solomon's Temple and the Babylonians desecrated it (Ezek. 10:4, 18, 19; 11:23; 2 Kgs. 25:8-17). In its place God has laid the foundation stone of an entirely different house: "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation". Men, as lively stones, are invited to build thereon on the basis of faith: "he that believeth shall not make haste" or be ashamed (Isa. 28:16; Rom. 9:33; 10:11-12; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:4-7).

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God ... He that hath an ear, let him hear".

References:

"Story of the Bible" (H.P. Mansfield) Vol. 4, No. 8.

"Law and Grace" (W.F. Barling) Chapter 5.

"Law of Moses ' (R. Roberts) pp. 95-154.