The difference God’s presence makes
1 Kings 7:1-51
Recently, I visited a beach just south of Christchurch and noticed a ridgeline overlooking the bay that narrowed, then terminated in a steep drop. The villas perched precariously on top stopped abruptly mid-way even though the powerlines continued to the end. It was a sad reminder of the Christchurch earthquakes that destroyed many houses and turned lives upside down. All of us experience upheavals in our circumstances, when our established world is shaken up whether by a sudden illness, loss of a loved one, an unexpected change in our finances, job situation or the like. What seemed solid and well-ordered collapses into chaos. Those times pose us the question of where our security lies and what difference God’s presence might make in our lives. The account of Solomon’s life gives a tacit answer through the temple building that extends over four chapters in the centre of the story (1 Kings 5-8).
Solomon’s palace and its significance
Our reading starts with Solomon’s palace and this might feel like an intrusion into the temple focus, even perhaps a sign of the king’s misplaced priorities. However, this is not a project for the king’s sole use but involves mostly public buildings necessary for the administration of the kingdom. Thus they include the House of the Forest of Lebanon (1 Kings 7:2-5), likely used as an armoury and treasury (1 Kings 10:17, 21), the Hall of Pillars (1 Kings 7:6), whose purpose is not described, a throne room called the Hall of Judgment (1 Kings 7:7), where legal cases would have been heard, as well as a house for the king (1 Kings 7:8) and a separate one for Pharaoh’s daughter (v.8). The latter two would no doubt have accommodated servants as well.[1] The longer time for this complex (1 Kings 7:1; 6:38) is necessitated by its larger size, which in turn is dictated by its largely public use. The temple is restricted to the priests for access and hence it is smaller in size relative to the palace complex but this does not make it less important. In fact, the temple’s size is comparable to other such buildings in Syria-Palestine. Including the palace description after the temple building makes sense as a two-part project which enables God’s presence to dwell with His people and His representative (the king) to administer justice and uphold the order God has put in place.
Reminders of God’s presence and the difference it makes
However, the temple’s much greater importance is highlighted by the amount of space given it. The transition back to the temple furnishings will lead organically into the bringing of the ark as the final piece and the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8). The characterisation of Hiram (the half-Israelite worker in bronze, not the king of Tyre) is reminiscent of the craftsmen making the tabernacle furnishings (1 Kings 7:14; Exod 31:2-3). Both God’s mobile home (tabernacle) and permanent dwelling (temple) serve the same function and need the same wisdom to make. The two bronze pillars at the entrance of the temple (1 Kings 7:21) once again remind us of God. Jachin, the pillar on the right means ‘he [i.e. God] establishes’ and Boaz on the left comes from be‘az (with/by strength). If the two names are read from right to left (the way Hebrew writing goes), it may form a sentence ‘He establishes with strength’.[2] The giant bronze laver (used for the ceremonial washings of the priests; 2 Chron 4:6) is about 4.5m in diameter and 13.5m in circumference (1 Kings 7:23). Significantly, it is called ‘the sea’ (v.23) and its contained nature once again signals God’s presence bringing order from the forces of chaos, just as it did at creation (Gen 1:9-10).[3]
The key to a firm foundation in life
Once again, we are reminded that it is the Lord alone who can bring order out of chaos, who can establish a firm foundation for our lives, even when everything around us shakes. When Israel saw their temple, they could recall these truths through the symbolism of their building. The exiles, who experienced the heartbreaking shattering of their world, were again pointed to God’s presence as the key to an ordered life where peace and rest could reign. We, too, are called to remember that only as we give the Lord central place in our lives that the effects of His presence can make a difference to how we live through the challenges we face.
[1] Pharaoh’s daughter may have had a separate dwelling because of her rank as an Egyptian princess or because she was a principal wife of the king.
[2] Marvin A. Sweeney, 1&2 Kings: A Commentary, OTL (Louisville: Westminster John Knox), 122.
[3] This is, once again, well-recognised by scholars. See e.g. Lissa M. Wray Beal, 1&2 Kings, AOTC 9 (Downers Grove: IVP/Nottingham: Apollos, 2014), 123. See also my earlier post Rest, temple and fellowship with the Lord.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with others.