The Project of Solomon (1 Kings 5-7)
Read 1 Kings 5:1-6
Studying the Kings of Israel,
We have recently seen Solomon rise to power.
• We saw his passion and conviction to establish his kingdom by removing all stumbling blocks, lawlessness, and blood guilt.
• Last week we saw the petition of Solomon. After seeking out the Lord God, Solomon then requested that God would give to him an understanding heart.
Of course God blessed Solomon not only with great wisdom,
But also with great riches and honor as well.
This morning we see yet another aspect of Solomon’s reign, and that is:
The Project of Solomon.
Solomon’s legacy was really carved out before him,
Before he ever began to reign.
1 Chronicles 28:2-6 “Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brethren and my people; I had intended to build a permanent home for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and for the footstool of our God. So I had made preparations to build it. “But God said to me, ‘ You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’ “Yet, the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me from all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever. For He has chosen Judah to be a leader; and in the house of Judah, my father’s house, and among the sons of my father He took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. “Of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons), He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. “He said to me, ‘Your son Solomon is the one who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be a son to Me, and I will be a father to him.”
And that is precisely the event that unfolds before us this morning.
But even in this,
We have a tremendous lesson to learn this morning.
It is important that you and I understand the heart of God,
And what it is that He truly wants from us.
When we come to present something before God,
We must learn to recognize what it is that God wants to receive,
Not merely what it is that we want to give Him.
We will see this point magnified as we study “The Project of Solomon”
2 main points this morning
#1 SOLOMON’S INTENTION
1 Kings 5:1-6
You recognize the setting of what has occurred.
The King of Tyre sends servants to Solomon to continue an alliance.
Solomon responds with a request.
(3-4) “You know that David my father was unable to build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor misfortune.”
And I hope you recognized Solomon’s language.
In verse 3, in reference to David it was “the LORD his God”
In verse 4, Solomon called Him, “the LORD my God”
Solomon no longer seeks to worship the God of his father.
God has revealed Himself to Solomon, and now He is Solomon’s God.
It is never enough for God to be the God of your father,
There must come a day when He becomes your God.
And now that this is the case, Solomon has a plan to honor his God.
(5) “Behold, I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spoke to David my father, saying ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he will build the house for My name.’”
And there you see the intention of Solomon.
“I intend to build a house”
The writer of Chronicles gives us a little more insight.
2 Chronicles 2:4-6 “Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, dedicating it to Him, to burn fragrant incense before Him and to set out the showbread continually, and to offer burnt offerings morning and evening, on sabbaths and on new moons and on the appointed feasts of the LORD our God, this being required forever in Israel. “The house which I am about to build will be great, for greater is our God than all the gods. “But who is able to build a house for Him, for the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him? So who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except to burn incense before Him?”
SOLOMON KNEW A GREAT GOD DESERVED A GREAT OFFERING
He was not about to give God some shack to live in.
But notice still more.
“I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God”
Solomon never said he was building a house for God.
There was no way anything Solomon built could contain his God.
Isaiah gave us a brief sketch of the size of God.
Isaiah 40:12 “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales?”
Jesus gave us a picture of God’s size.
Matthew 5:34-35 “But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING.”
You may remember Paul preached this to the people of Athens.
Acts 17:24-25 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;”
There was no way God was going to fit in any man-made temple.
And Solomon never intended for Him to.
This house was “for the name of the LORD my God.”
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
1 Kings 8:27-30 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built! “Yet have regard to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which Your servant prays before You today; that Your eyes may be open toward this house night and day, toward the place of which You have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ to listen to the prayer which Your servant shall pray toward this place. “Listen to the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; hear in heaven Your dwelling place; hear and forgive.”
All Solomon was asking for was a point of reference
Where he knew that he could come into contact with the living God.
Solomon had a passion for God’s presence.
He always wanted to be able to get in touch with God.
And so he is building this temple in Jerusalem.
And to help him build the temple,
He is contacting the King of Tyre to help with provisions.
(Verse 6), “Now therefore, command that they cut for me cedars from Lebanon, and my servants will be with your servants; and I will give you wages for your servants according to all that you say, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”
And the rest of chapter 5 deals with Solomon gather provisions.
Chapter 6 deals with the building of the temple.
Chapter 7 deals with the utensils of worship that would fill the temple.
You can read those chapters and get an idea of what Solomon built.
Without reading them in their totality,
Let me just highlight a few magnificent things the temple.
(VERSE 6:2) – IT WAS A LARGE PROJECT
A Cubit = 18” (the length of the forearm and hand)
A Span = 9” (the distance from pointer finger to thumb)
A Handbreadth = 3” (the width of the hand)
So this temple was roughly 90’ long x 30’ wide x 45’ tall
(approx: 2700 square feet)
(VERSE 6:7) – IT WAS A SOLEMN PROJECT
Due to the reverence of the project,
Solomon did not want the sound of any tool in the actual temple,
So all the stone was fitted together in the quarry and then transported in.
(VERSES 6:20-22) – IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE PROJECT
We don’t know how much Solomon actually used.
But we do know how much David stored up.
1 Chronicles 29:1-9 “Then King David said to the entire assembly, “My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is still young and inexperienced and the work is great; for the temple is not for man, but for the LORD God. “Now with all my ability I have provided for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, onyx stones and inlaid stones, stones of antimony and stones of various colors, and all kinds of precious stones and alabaster in abundance. “Moreover, in my delight in the house of my God, the treasure I have of gold and silver, I give to the house of my God, over and above all that I have already provided for the holy temple, namely, 3,000 talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and 7,000 talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the buildings; of gold for the things of gold and of silver for the things of silver, that is, for all the work done by the craftsmen. Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD?” Then the rulers of the fathers’ households, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with the overseers over the king’s work, offered willingly; and for the service for the house of God they gave 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, and 10,000 talents of silver, and 18,000 talents of brass, and 100,000 talents of iron. Whoever possessed precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD, in care of Jehiel the Gershonite. Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly.”
LET’S FIGURE THE WORTH OF GOLD ALONE.
David gave: – 3,000 talents of gold
The People gave: – 5,000 talents of gold
Total = 8,000 talents of gold.
1 talent = 75 pounds.
So David and the people gave 300 tons of gold.
This week gold was trading at $832 per ounce.
The gold in Solomon’s temple = $7,987,200,000
(not counting silver, brass, iron, stone, wood, labor, etc.)
(VERSE 38) – IT WAS A LENGTHY PROJECT
(VERSES 7:48-51) – IT WAS A METICULOUS PROJECT
Solomon got everything, right down to the last spoon and pot.
He cut no corners, he spared no expense.
This temple was the building of buildings.
Solomon accomplished his intention.
1 Kings 8:13 “I have surely built You a lofty house, A place for Your dwelling forever.”
So now, let’s hear from God on the issue.
Solomon went to all that trouble, certainly God is impressed.
#2 THE EVALUATION OF GOD
1 Kings 6:11-12
Now you will first notice that Solomon was not yet finished
When God interrupted to speak to Solomon.
Verse 9 does say, “So he built the house and finished it;”
Verse 14 also says, “So Solomon built the house and finished it.”
But reading the whole chapter reveals that
It was just the outer structure that Solomon had finished.
Before he went to work on the inside, God has a visit with him.
And notice how it begins.
“Concerning this house which you are building”
It sounds as though God is going to give
A few mid-construction adjustments.
Only God’s assessment is not what you might think.
• God says nothing about the size of the building…
• God says nothing about the work done in silence…
• God says nothing about the pile of gold that will soon be siding…
• God says nothing about the meticulous detail that is involved…
God doesn’t say a thing about the construction of the temple at all.
But rather, “If you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father. I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.”
DID YOU CATCH GOD’S POINT?
It is almost as though Solomon
Was getting a little too carried away with the things that did not matter.
It is almost like Solomon had it in his mind
That all the, gold, silver, and stones was impressive to God.
Like this place was so impressive God would want to live there.
And so God shows up in the middle of the construction as if to say.
“My presence is not dictated by worldly wealth and gaudy structures. Houses trimmed in gold do not impress Me.
If you are serious about having Me around, then your focus should be on obedience, for that is what secures My presence.”
WHAT A CONCEPT!
And notice the conditions that God gives to Solomon.
“If you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them…”
Anytime God repeats Himself 3 times, that is a Biblical clue
That what He is saying is important and He doesn’t want you to miss it.
3 times God reiterates the importance of obedience to Solomon.
“walk in My statutes”
“execute My ordinances”
“keep all My commandments by walking in them”
And don’t you love that last one!
“keep all My commandments” How? “by walking in them”
I don’t just mean that I want you to keep a copy of my word in your safe.
I mean apply my word to your life.
God doesn’t just want for you to keep a copy of the Bible
God wants you to READ His word, ENFORCE His word,
And CONTINUALLY OBEY His word.
Fabulous structures have never been God’s desire.
In fact, look at what God told David when he desired to build the temple.
2 Samuel 7:1-7 “Now it came about when the king lived in his house, and the LORD had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains.” Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your mind, for the LORD is with you.” But in the same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, “Go and say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in? “For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle. “Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'”‘
Absolutely not.
He did talk a lot about His presence dwelling with them,
But having a house was never a factor in whether or not He did.
In fact, remember after the golden calf incident.
The people were on the verge of losing God’s presence.
Exodus 33:1-3 “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Depart, go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up from the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it.’ “I will send an angel before you and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. “Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, and I might destroy you on the way.”
They were about to lose the presence of God,
But it was not because they had yet to build Him a temple.
It was because they were “an obstinate people”
God is not interested in outward offerings.
God is interested in the obedience of a grateful heart.
Listen to what Solomon would later write in the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 15:8 “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.”
Proverbs 21:27 “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!”
David also knew this:
Psalms 51:16-17 “For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
The prophet Isaiah delivered the word of God on the matter:
Isaiah 1:11-17 “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says the LORD. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. “When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts? “Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies — I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly. “I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.”
God wants obedience, not some token outward display of religion.
• How else can you describe Jesus rejecting the gold of the rich young ruler, yet being amazed at widow’s mite?
God wants a heart filled with righteousness,
Not a temple trimmed in gold.
Solomon thought that a permanent structure
Meant the permanent presence of God.
BUT THAT WAS WRONG.
Permanent structures don’t secure God’s presence,
Consistent obedience secures God’s presence.
I told you earlier that Solomon knew that
A GREAT GOD DESERVES A GREAT OFFERING.
That is true, but the offering He desires is your life on His altar.
And if Solomon would give God the obedience that He desired,
Then look at how God would respond.
“then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father. I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.”
ISN’T THAT WHAT SOLOMON REALLY WANTED?
• He wanted God to secure his kingdom…
• He wanted God to be accessible to His people…
• He wanted God to never leave…
Give God obedience, and God will dwell with you always.
Now, in all fairness,
I must tell you that it does not work exactly like this today.
In fact, we have the promise of God,
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Jesus said, “surely I will be with you always, even to the very end of the age.”
And so we don’t walk in fear of God leaving.
BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT
WE NEVER WORRY ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
Remember the church at Ephesus?
Revelation 2:1-4 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
God never left, they did.
Through their lack of love for Him, and their superficial obedience,
THEY HAD WANDERED AWAY FROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
That is the same warning given to Solomon.
In Solomon’s day it was obey from your heart
So that you can experience My presence.
In our day, it is still obey from your heart
So that you can experience God’s presence.
There is a difference between religion and a relationship.
Religion seeks to build God a temple,
A relationship seeks to give God a heart.
This week, do more than just build God a temple.
Do more than just involve yourself in superficial religion…
Do more than give money…
Do more than attend church…
Do more than serve on a committee…
THIS WEEK GIVE GOD YOUR HEART.
• Don’t just have a prayer time, have a time of prayer.
• Don’t just read a daily devotion, devote yourself to hearing from God’s word, and don’t leave until you do.
Take the time to speak to Him, and to listen to what He has to say.
SO HOW IS YOUR WALK WITH THE LORD?
How is your prayer life?
How is your daily Bible study?
This morning, learn a lesson from Solomon’s Project,
Make a conscious decision
To tune your heart to seek the presence of God,
To walk in His ways, and to fellowship with Him daily.
It is the blessing of the presence of God,
And it will change your life.
1 Kings 6:11-13 “Now the word of the LORD came to Solomon saying, “Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father. “I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.”
