Summary:
Solomon's Other Activities
Verses 1-18
Solomon finished building his palace and the Lord's temple in 20 years. Then, he rebuilt the villages given to him by Hiram, the king of Tyre. The Israelites settled in them.
Solomon captured Hamath Zobah, where he built his store cities. He built up Tadmor in the desert. He rebuilt Upper and Lower Beth Horon as fortified cities, with walls, gates, and bars. He also built up Baalath and its store cities, as well as the cities for his chariots and horses. He built whatever he wanted to build in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and all of his territory.
The non-Israelites remaining in Israel were descended from the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. They were conscripted for Solomon's slave labor force. The Israelites, however, were employed as fighting men; as commanders of Solomon's captains, chariots, and charioteers (horses); and 250 chief officials were appointed to supervise the men.
Solomon brought up Pharoah's daughter from the City of David to the palace he had built for her. He said that his wife shouldn't live at David's palace, because the places the Lord's ark had entered were holy.
Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings to God, on the altar he had built in front of the portico. He followed the daily requirements for the offerings, which had been commanded by Moses for the Sabbaths, New Moons, and 3 annual feasts: the Feasts of Unleavened Bread, of Weeks, and of Tabernacles. Solomon kept the ordinance of David by appointing the divisions of the priests for their duties, the Levites to lead praise and assist the priests with their daily requirements, and the divisions of the gatekeepers. They did not deviate from the king's commands, including those of the treasuries, every day through the completion of the Lord's temple.
Afterwards, Solomon went to Ezion Geber and Elath on the coast of Edom. Hiram sent him ships with his own officers, who knew the sea. With Solomon's men, they sailed to Ophir and came back with 450 talents (~17 tons) of gold.
Lori's Thoughts:
Would you stick to a project that took 20 years? That's almost my whole lifespan. God is not bound by time. He didn't grow impatient or frustrated with the amount of time it took to build this dwelling place. He provided Solomon with all the tools he needed. Without God, Solomon would have grown weary. He may have rushed to finish up and the quality of the work would have dropped.
If God gives us a task, we must rely on Him and be willing to give it our all. God does not put a rush stamp on it. Why would He if He is everywhen? With Him, we are capable of accomplishing great things. And, our lives carry a noble purpose.
So, what is God's purpose for us today, now that rituals are no longer required? He wants us to love. How? " 'Then the King will say to those on His right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." "...I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." '" (Matthew 25:34-36, 40)
. . .
On to the topic of slavery. Slavery is not God's intention for anyone. Those that became slaves to Israel were not God's people. They were not in right standing with God. I highly doubt God's people would have abused their slaves, for God gave Israel regulations for justice among natives and foreigners. Now, when Christ died, He did so for everyone. There is only freedom with God. "Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, for He breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron." (Psalm 107:10-16)
. . .
I don't think anyone is holy enough to live where the Lord's tabernacle had been. So, I don't think the fact that an Egyptian woman was moved to another place had a lot to do with her gender or race. Solomon did a good thing setting David's house apart as holy. Now that we have been sanctified by Christ's blood, we can boldly approach God's throne. Not in arrogance, but in confidence knowing that we are in good standing with God (righteousness). "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)
Well, Solomon's life was full of festivals, construction, and riches. Life is good with God. I am rich, because I have joy and peace regardless of my circumstances. I'm not wealthy, nor do I have a high status. But, I wouldn't trade my quiet moments with God, that have me smiling and dancing, for the world.
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