The Glory, the Dedication, and the Warning: Solomon’s Legacy Unfolds

Welcome to Day 90 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are beginning the book of 1 Kings. In 1 Kings 7-9, these chapters capture the magnificence of Solomon’s reign, detailing the completion of the temple, his royal palace, the temple’s dedication, and God’s response to Solomon’s prayers. Chapter 7 describes the construction of Solomon’s palace and the intricate craftsmanship of the temple furnishings. Chapter 8 focuses on the dedication of the temple, where Solomon leads Israel in worship, offers sacrifices, and prays for God’s continued presence and favor. Chapter 9 shifts to God’s response, reaffirming His promises but also warning Solomon to remain faithful. The chapter concludes with Solomon’s continued expansion, including his dealings with Hiram of Tyre and his various building projects. These chapters highlight the peak of Israel’s grandeur under Solomon but also introduce the conditions for Israel’s continued blessing—or impending judgment.

1 Kings Chapter 7: Details Solomon’s vast construction projects, emphasizing both the temple and his own royal palace. While the temple took seven years to build, his palace took thirteen, showcasing the splendor of his reign. The chapter highlights the skilled work of Huram, a master craftsman who created the temple’s bronze furnishings, including the massive bronze pillars Jachin and Boaz, the Sea of cast metal, and various other ornate decorations. The level of detail underscores the grandeur and sacredness of the temple as a dwelling place for God. Through these descriptions, we see Solomon’s commitment to honoring the Lord, though his focus on his own palace foreshadows a potential shift in priorities.

1 Kings Chapter 8: Focuses on the dedication of the temple, marking a significant spiritual moment for Israel. Solomon gathers the elders and all Israel to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the temple, symbolizing God’s presence among His people. He offers a profound prayer, acknowledging God’s faithfulness, seeking His continued presence, and interceding for the nation in times of trouble. A massive offering of sacrifices follows, and God’s glory fills the temple. Solomon’s prayer highlights the covenant relationship between God and Israel and the importance of faithfulness in securing His blessings.

1 Kings Chapter 9: Records God’s response to Solomon’s dedication and outlines the conditions for Israel’s continued blessings. God reaffirms His promise but warns that if Solomon or his descendants turn away from Him, the temple itself will become a ruin and Israel will be cast out of the land. The chapter also details Solomon’s expansion projects, his dealings with Hiram of Tyre, and his labor force policies. While Solomon’s kingdom flourishes, the chapter hints at potential future struggles due to forced labor and increasing alliances with foreign nations.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The book of 1 Kings derives its name from its content, as it records the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah. The title originates from the Hebrew name "Melekhim" meaning "Kings." In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament, it was included as part of the larger "Books of the Kingdoms", later divided into 1 & 2 Kings.

Purpose of the Book:

1 Kings serves to document the history of Israel’s monarchy, beginning with Solomon's reign and leading to the division of the kingdom into Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Judah (Southern Kingdom). The book emphasizes how the kings' faithfulness—or lack thereof—to God's covenant determined the nation's prosperity or downfall. It highlights God's sovereignty over history, the consequences of disobedience, and the role of prophets in guiding and warning the people.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

Jewish tradition attributes the authorship of 1 Kings to the prophet Jeremiah, though there is no explicit biblical confirmation of this. The Talmud (Baba Bathra 15a) suggests that Jeremiah compiled Kings based on prophetic records and royal chronicles. Some scholars argue that it was written by an anonymous compiler, often referred to as the Deuteronomist, who drew from earlier sources such as:

The Book of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41)
The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel (1 Kings 14:19)
The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah (1 Kings 14:29)

Outside the Bible, ancient historians such as Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 8) acknowledge that Jewish records documented the events of Kings, reinforcing its historical credibility.

Key People:

Solomon – Son of David and Bathsheba, known for his wisdom, the building of the temple, and his eventual downfall due to idolatry.
Rehoboam – Solomon’s son, whose harsh leadership led to the division of the kingdom.
Jeroboam – The first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, who established idol worship in Bethel and Dan.
Elijah – A major prophet who confronted Ahab and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.
Ahab – A wicked king of Israel, married to Jezebel, and infamous for promoting Baal worship.
Jezebel – A Phoenician princess and wife of Ahab who persecuted God’s prophets.
Asa and Jehoshaphat – Kings of Judah known for their faithfulness to God compared to Israel’s kings.

Conclusion

1 Kings sets the stage for the spiritual decline of Israel, leading to its eventual exile, while also reminding readers of God's enduring faithfulness despite human failure.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In 1 Kings 7, God’s character is revealed through the magnificence and detail of the temple and palace construction. He is a God of order, beauty, and holiness, desiring excellence in all things dedicated to Him. The intricate craftsmanship of the temple’s furnishings, including the massive bronze pillars Jachin and Boaz, reflects His stability and strength. God is also a provider, equipping Solomon with the wisdom and resources needed to complete His work. This chapter shows that God values both the spiritual and practical aspects of worship, calling His people to honor Him in every detail of their lives.

The Hebrew name of God reflected in this chapter is Yahweh Tsuri, meaning "The Lord is My Rock" (Psalm 18:2). The temple, built with strong pillars and intricate bronze work, symbolizes God’s unshakable presence and faithfulness. Through this, God teaches that He is our firm foundation, and we must build our lives upon Him. The lesson in this chapter emphasizes the importance of dedicating our best efforts and resources to God, knowing that He is the source of all wisdom and provision.

In 1 Kings 8, God's character is revealed as a covenant-keeping God who dwells among His people. When Solomon prays at the temple dedication, he acknowledges God’s faithfulness to His promises. The moment when God's glory fills the temple demonstrates His holiness and desire for relationship with His people. God is also merciful, as Solomon’s prayer highlights the need for forgiveness and restoration whenever Israel repents. His character is one of unwavering love and justice, always ready to hear the cries of His people.

One of the Hebrew names of God in this chapter is El HaShamayim, meaning "God of Heaven" (1 Kings 8:23). Solomon acknowledges that even the heavens cannot contain God, emphasizing His majesty and sovereignty over all creation. Through this, God teaches that He is greater than any physical structure and that true worship comes from a heart surrendered to Him. The lesson in this chapter is that while God is present in places of worship, He desires a faithful and repentant heart more than mere rituals.

In 1 Kings 9, God reveals Himself as a just and sovereign ruler who upholds His covenant but also enforces His conditions. He assures Solomon that He has consecrated the temple, but He warns that disobedience will lead to destruction. This shows God’s righteousness—He blesses obedience but does not tolerate unfaithfulness. His justice is evident in His conditional promise: if Israel follows Him, they will prosper, but if they turn away, they will suffer consequences. God is patient, giving clear warnings before bringing judgment.

A key Hebrew name of God in this chapter is Yahweh Shaphat, meaning "The Lord is Judge" (Psalm 75:7). God’s response to Solomon reminds Israel that He is the ultimate judge who determines their fate based on their faithfulness. This teaches that God’s blessings are conditional on obedience, and His people must walk in His ways to experience His favor. The lesson in this chapter is that prosperity and success are gifts from God, but they should never lead to complacency or turning away from Him.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character:

What does the detailed craftsmanship of the temple in 1 Kings 7 reveal about God’s character and His desire for excellence in worship?
How does God’s response to Solomon in 1 Kings 9 demonstrate both His faithfulness and justice?
In 1 Kings 8, how does Solomon’s prayer show that God is both merciful and sovereign?
What do the names of God (Yahweh Tsuri, El HaShamayim, and Yahweh Shaphat) reveal about His role in Israel’s history and our lives today?
How does God’s presence filling the temple in 1 Kings 8 reflect His desire for a relationship with His people?
Why does God emphasize obedience to Solomon in 1 Kings 9, and what does this teach us about His expectations?
How do we see God’s holiness and justice displayed throughout these chapters?

Questions About Themes:

How does the construction of both the temple and Solomon’s palace in 1 Kings 7 highlight the contrast between devotion to God and personal ambition?
What is the significance of the Ark of the Covenant being placed in the temple in 1 Kings 8?
How does Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings 8 emphasize the importance of repentance and God’s forgiveness?
Why does God warn Solomon about turning away from Him in 1 Kings 9, and how does this foreshadow Israel’s future struggles?
How does the theme of obedience versus disobedience play out in these chapters, and what lessons can we learn?
In what ways do these chapters illustrate the temporary nature of human success compared to the eternal nature of God’s kingdom?
How does Solomon’s use of forced labor in 1 Kings 9 contrast with God’s desire for justice and righteousness?

Reflective Application Questions:

What areas of your life reflect excellence and dedication to God, and what areas need improvement?
How can you ensure that your worship is centered on God rather than rituals or routines?
In what ways have you seen God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises in your own life?
How do you respond when God warns or corrects you? Do you take His guidance seriously, or do you tend to ignore it?
What lessons from Solomon’s life can help you stay focused on God rather than personal success?
Are there any areas where you’ve prioritized worldly achievements over your relationship with God? How can you realign your priorities?
How can you actively seek God's presence in your daily life, similar to how Israel sought His presence in the temple?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans