Preparations For Building The Temple

When I was stationed in Italy, the U.S. Navy’s Chief of Chaplains came for a visit. One of our Chaplains, Lt. Neil James, was in charge of arranging for a personal visit to some of the large ... More

Workmanship

God had not let David begin building the temple. However, David had received detailed instructions about how it was to be built along with the furnishings that were to be included. He had purchased the site and had gathered the materials and workmen to bring it to pass (I Chronicles 21:18-22:19, 28-29). It now fell to his son and successor Solomon to bring the dream to reality. “Solomon determined to build a house for the Lord” (v.1). Solomon used the same connections his father had. Because this was done for the Lord it was to be the very best. Solomon sends the blueprint for the temple to Hiram, the king of Tyre. Hiram readily received Solomon’s request and “answered in writing” (v. 1). The terms and conditions Solomon set were acceptable to Hiram in every way. This country recognized and accepted the new leadership of Solomon as King over Israel. Hiram wrote “Because the Lord has loved his people, he has made you king over them." 

The man who Hiram chose to send to Solomon as the chief craftsman was Huram-abi, a half Israelite, whose mother was from the tribe of Dan. According to I Kings 7:14, his “mother was a widow from the tribe of Naphtali.” This difference may be explained by understanding Dan to be her tribe by birth and Naphtal, her residence, or vice versa. The terms and conditions Solomon set were acceptable to Hiram in every way. He would immediately cut and ship the timber by sea to the Israel part of Joppa from where it would be transported overland to Jerusalem. With the arrangements now complete, Solomon gathers his work gangs drawing them from Israelites and from resident aliens (v. 17, and I Chronicles 22:2). This presupposes class structures in which non-Israelites were sometimes forced into public service projects such as this project of temple building.

Application

When was the last time you made something with your own hands for someone else?  Have you ever made anything for God alone? You could write something, build something, draw something, or do something just for Him. Make this the best you’ve ever done. It is for our great God! 

II Chronicles 2:1-18 (English Standard Version)


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