Review Of 1Kings 8

– by Victor Fawole

Right from chapter 5, we have been reading about the construction of the Temple and Solomon’s palace. I welcome everyone to 1st Kings Chapter 8, a chapter that narrates the dedication of the gigantic Temple. This was practically one of the most significant moments in Israel’s national history before the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Interestingly, there are exactly fifteen generations between Abraham and Solomon, and exactly 15 generations between Solomon and Jesus. So, this was not just a midpoint, it was a point where Israel experienced the full glory and presence of God.

Let us review…

DEDICATING THE TEMPLE

1Kgs. 8:1ff Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the City of David, which is Zion…

The dedication of the Temple is one of the most sacred and unforgettable moments in Israel. After years of construction, Solomon brought together the elders, priests, Levites, and representatives of every tribe for a grand opening ceremony in Jerusalem. The occasion was more spiritual than ceremonial. The purpose was to enthrone the presence of God at the heart of Israel’s worship. The timing was also symbolic. Solomon chose to dedicate the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles, a celebration of God’s abiding presence among His people during their wilderness journey (Lev. 23:33-43). It was a feast of joy, thanksgiving, and remembrance. It was a perfect timing for the dedication of the Temple.

I looked at the numbers concerning the animals used for sacrifices in this chapter and I was wowed. I paused to consider the grand scale of Solomon’s dedication and sacrifices… and I must confess that it is staggering! We’re talking about 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep offered in worship (1Kgs. 8:63). 142,000 animals in total! Think of the priests, the altars, the preparations, the coordination for these sacrifices… In today’s market, the animals sacrificed would cost about ₦70 billion. What makes it jaw-dropping isn’t just the money or the logistics, but the heart behind it. This kind of sacrifice is a declaration that: “No amount is too much when it comes to honouring God.”

However, there is something I’d like to call our attention to in verse 9. It is about the contents of the Ark. According to Heb. 9:4, the Ark originally contained three items:

– a golden pot of manna,
– Aaron’s rod that budded, and
– the tables of the covenant.

But in Solomon’s time, only the tablets of stone remained in the ark . The fact that two out of three contents were missing is worthy of our attention, and we can draw some lessons from it. Each missing item represents something that can be lost or neglected in our walk with God.

1. THE MISSING SUSTENANCE

The first item missing was the golden pot of manna (Exo. 16:33-34), which symbolized God’s sustaining Word. Manna is God’s provision, both in the physical and spiritual senses. Manna is both a pointer to the Living Word (John 6:35) and the Written Word (Deut. 8:3, Matt. 4:4). Hence, it meant that devotion to the Saviour was missing, and devotion to the Scriptures was also missing.

Many churches today are already at the risk of leaving the Living Word out of their worship. Like the church at Ephesus, they have left their first love (Rev. 2:4). They are full of activities but no affection. They do ministry but lack intimacy with their loving Saviour. In some churches, real bible study has been replaced with social programmes and funfairs. There is a decline in devotion to the Word, which leads to decline in devotion to the Saviour.

We must put the “manna” in the ark of our hearts. We must commit to daily devotions, Bible meditations, and Christ-centered worship, as individuals and as a church. That is where we can find true sustenance. To enrich your love for the Word, listen to this sermon by Pastor Dammy: FACEBOOK — Part 6 (The Connect)

2. THE MISSING STAFF

The second missing item was Aaron’s rod that budded (Num.17:10), which symbolized both God’s rule and Christ’s resurrection. The rod was God’s way of confirming His chosen priesthood (Num. 17:5-8). Its budding was a miracle, and it tells that all authority belongs to God alone. Its blossoming is a picture of resurrection life.

Again, this “rod” is missing from many hearts and congregations. People question God’s new covenant of grace, they redefine His truth, and some go as far as challenging His rule. Many people deny the foundation of our faith, I mean the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection, our faith is void (1Cor. 15:14,17). The empty tomb is the believer’s proof of victory. Without it, there is no Gospel, no hope, no new life.

We have a duty as believers to submit and remain faithful to the rule of Christ over His church. The doctrine of Christ’s resurrection must be well taught and properly defended to clarify doubts and silence critics. Permit me to share some sermons by Pastor Dammy on Easter and resurrection related topics:

Although the manna and the rod were missing, the two tablets of the Law remained in the Ark. The reverse should be our experience. While we enjoy a loving relationship with Jesus, and live in the power of His resurrection, we must not submit ourselves to the bondage of the Law. We have been saved by grace, and we must live by grace.

DESCENDING TO THE TEMPLE

1Kgs. 8:10-11 And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

When the priests had finished placing the ark in the Holy of Holies and stepped out, the glory of God descended in a visible, tangible form, with a cloud filling the temple. This was not an ordinary cloud. It was the same Shekinah glory that had accompanied Israel through the wilderness and also filled the tabernacle of Moses in Exo. 40:34-35. This was God’s signature of approval on Solomon’s project. The temple was complete, the ark was in place, and now God Himself became resident.

The glory was so intense that the priests could not stand to minister. Their strength bowed to His splendour. Their priestly functions were suspended under His powerful fullness. Their ministry was swallowed up in His majesty. True worship was presence-driven, not performance-driven. It is certain that human effort will always succumb to heavenly excellence. The greatest moments in the Church are not when men are seen ministering, but when God is palpably manifest among His people.

The same glory now dwells within us. What Solomon saw externally, believers experience internally. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 6:19). The glory that filled the house fills our hearts now. The cloud that covered the priests now rests upon every believer through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The glory did not descend on an unfinished or defiled Temple. It came upon a completed and consecrated Temple. Likewise, we are sanctified and made complete by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:16, 1Pet. 1:2).

DEPENDING ON THE LORD

1Kgs. 8:22-23 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; and he said: “Lord God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.

Solomon offered prayers to God, and from verses 31-53, he made seven petitions to God, in connection with the temple. Each petition is about negative circumstances, and he repeated the same request for each of them: “Then hear in heaven…” I’d love us to consider each of them…

1. DOUBT: When There Is Uncertainty (vs. 31-32)

“If a man sins against his neighbor, and an oath is laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath comes before Thine altar in this house…”

In case there is a situation where a person is accused, but there’s no human evidence to confirm or deny the charge, and justice cannot be determined by man… Solomon prayed that God Himself would judge between the righteous and the wicked, for only God sees the secret motives of men’s hearts. He knew that it was only by God that he could judge between the two harlots in chapter 3.

When the truth is hidden and we can’t trust our sense of judgement, we must appeal to the omniscient Judge of all. He knows the hidden secrets in the hearts of men. He vindicates the innocent and convicts the guilty. He is the ultimate Supreme Court when evidence is absent. Whenever we are falsely accused or misunderstood, we don’t have to fight in the flesh. We should hand the matter over to God. He alone can discern the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).

2. DEFEAT: When There Is National Humiliation (vs. 33-34)

“When Thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy because they have sinned against Thee…”

In case there is a situation where Israel suffers loss in a battle, because of their sins… and they turn, confess, and pray toward this Temple… Solomon prayed that God should hear in heaven and bring them again. He knew that only God can restore whatever sin destroys.

3. DROUGHT: When There Is Scarcity (vs. 35-36)

“When heaven is shut up and there is no rain, because they have sinned against Thee…”

In case there is a situation where the land dries, the heavens close, and the economy fails because of Israel’s sin… Solomon asked that when the people turn and confess, God would send rain and teach them the right path. He understood that drought is a sign of divine displeasure, and only God can open the heavens again.

4. DESTRUCTION: When There Is Widespread Calamity (vs. 37-40)

“If there be famine, pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, or enemy siege…”

In case there is a situation where multiple disasters strike (pestilence, invasion, economic collapse), all flowing from the root of sin… Solomon prayed that when each person admits his own sin and stretches his hands toward the temple, God would hear and forgive. He understood that there is a personal dimension to national sin and God alone knows the hearts of all the children of men.

5. DENUNCIATION: When A Gentile Comes (vs. 41-43)

“Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of Thy people Israel…when he shall come and pray toward this house…”

In case there is a situation where a foreigner, having heard of God’s great name, denounces his false god, prays in/towards the temple… Solomon pleaded that God should hear him and grant their requests. He understood that God’s grand plan ultimately included the gentiles. Solomon’s vision was global: “That all peoples of the earth may know Thy name.” (vs. 43) He foresaw the inclusion of all nations in the Church age, when all peoples would worship God through Christ. In fact, later in John 2 when Jesus cleansed the temple, it was mainly the Court of the Gentiles. The place meant for the gentiles was being corrupted by merchants who set up tables to exchange money and sell animals to sacrifice at exorbitant prices.

6. DEPLOYMENT: When There Is Battle for the Lord (vs. 44-45)

“If Thy people go out to battle against their enemy, by the way that Thou shalt send them…”

In case there is a situation where Israel goes to war as God sends them… Solomon prayed that when they cry to God from the battlefield, He would uphold their cause and grant them victory. He understood that even when battles are approved by God, success depends on supplication, and not on swords. Our spiritual battles as believers require prayerful dependence on God. Victory belongs to those who surrender to God, for only they can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Eph. 6:10)

7. DEFECTION: When There Is Captivity Because of Sin (vs. 46-53)

“If they sin against Thee (for there is no man that sinneth not)…and are carried away captive…”

In case there is a situation where Israel turns from the truth to false worship and idolatry… and they are led to captivity by their enemies… If they turn, confess, and pray… Solomon asked God to hear, forgive, and restore them. This was what informed Daniel’s culture of praying towards Jerusalem while they were carried away to Babylon (Dan. 6:10).

Again, I love how Solomon repeatedly said: “Then hear in heaven…” This kind of plea comes from a humble, upright, fervent, believing, submissive, obedient heart… a heart that comes boldly to the throne of grace, having a deep sense of man’s depravity and a solid trust in God’s ability.

Dear Gogolights, before we conclude this review, let us pause and zoom in on this golden verse…

1Kgs. 8:56 “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses.

Solomon stood before the nation and declared that not one word of God had failed. All his words of His promise had come to pass. Beloveds, the same God who kept His word to Israel still keeps His word to us today. The Holy Spirit comforts, directs, and enlightens us through the Word because we believe it. To disbelieve the Word is to give room for discomfort for ourselves. We can stand on the promises of Scripture with unwavering confidence, for we know that not one of God’s promises has ever failed… not in Solomon’s day, not in our day, never ever. Every promise from God carries the weight of His character and the authority of His throne. Permit me to list ten timeless promises (out of many) that you can claim with absolute confidence:

God’s Presence: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:5)
God’s Protection: “I am thy shield.” (Gen. 15:1)
God’s Power: “I will strengthen thee.” (Isa. 41:10)
God’s Provision: “I will help thee.” (Isa. 41:10)
God’s Pathway: “He goeth before them.” (John 10:4)
God’s Purposes: “I know the thoughts that I think toward you.” (Jer. 29:11)
God’s Peace: “Come unto Me… and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)
God’s Pardon: “…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1John 1:7)
God’s Plenty: “No good thing will He withhold.” (Psa. 84:11)
God’s Providence: “All things work together for good.” (Rom. 8:28)

Because no word of God has failed, our faith in God should not faint. Every promise of God is a pillar to lean on, a pathway to walk on, and a pillow to rest upon. When you feel abandoned, remember His presence. When you feel threatened, rest in His protection. When you feel weak, rely on His power. When you are uncertain, follow His lead. When you are weary, receive His rest. When you are confused, submit to His providence. The Christian life is not sustained by explanations, it is sustained by expectations grounded in His promises.

And so we may confidently declare: What God has spoken, He will surely perform.

God bless you for reading this review.

Thank you for sharing your reflections too.

See you tomorrow, beloveds.

Grace to you, Church!