Reminders about Papers Due Wednesday 5 November Papers

Reminders about Papers • Due Wednesday, 5 November • Papers may be turned in until 5: 30 pm on that day • No late papers (don’t even ask!) • Be sure to turn in all your preliminary work along with the final one-page product; it contributes to your grade • An extra credit note: Due Monday

Psalm 100: 5 • • KI TOV ADONAI Because good (is) the LORD LE’OLAM H ASDO (2 X) To eternity (is) His hesed VE’AD DOR VE-DOR (2 X) And unto generation and generation EMUNATO His faithfulness

Solomon: Consolidating the Kingdom

Introduction • Review – How did David create political and religious unity in his kingdom? – What event prepared the way for the future building of the Temple? • For what is Solomon best known? • A reminder about sources: What did you see in I Kings that was not in II Chronicles? (and vice versa? )

Establishing Solomon as King • David as aging king – Abishag’s role • Adonijah’s scheme to become king • David’s choice of Solomon / the Lord’s choice of Solomon • David’s preparations for the Temple (1 Chr 28 -29) • David’s charges to Solomon – Obedience – Temple – “unfinished business” (Joab, Barzillai, Shimei) • The end of Adonijah – significance of his request • Solomon’s prayer for wisdom

Geo-politics • A reminder – Deuteronomy 17: 16 -17 • Peace in the expanded kingdom (I Kings 4: 21) • International trade relations and treaties (I Kings 9: 10 -10: 29) – the Queen from Sheba • Alliance with Pharaoh of Egypt (I Kings 3: 1) – married Pharaoh’s daughter • Internal affairs: – Strengthening defenses (Megiddo, Gezer, Hazor) – Conscription of “native populations”

The Empire in Solomon’s Time

The Temple (fulfillment of Dt 12) • Geography of Jerusalem – City of David – Kidron Valley – Gihon Spring • Location of Temple

Nature and purposes of the Temple • Central place of worship • Sacred space – “access to heaven” – The cloud of glory (1 Chr 5: 13 -14) – Fire from heaven (1 Chr 7: 1 -3) • Reflection of God’s dwelling in heaven – I Chronicles 28: 18 – Ezekiel 1: 4 -28 – Hebrews 8: 5; 9: 23 -24 • Storage place for nation’s wealth – I Kings 7: 51 and II Chronicles 5: 1 • Design and furnishings

View from Northeast

The “Sea”

Interior

Winged Cherubim

Front Entrance and Courtyard

Work of Levites as Temple Personnel (I Chronicles 23 -26) • Gatekeepers (ch 26) • Set apart for ministry of prophesying and praise with musical instruments (ch 25) • In charge of treasuries (26: 20) • Officials and judges (26: 29)

Temple Dedication (on the Feast of Tabernacles) • Solomon’s prayer (I Kings 8 and II Chronicles 6) – Recalling the promise to David – The “dwelling place” for God’s Name – The covenant blessings and curses reflected (cf. Lev 26) • Dedication ceremony • God’s response (II Chronicles 7: 14) – If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and will heal their land. ”

The Demise of Solomon’s Empire [not in Chronicles] • Wives and alliances • Idolatry • Opposition and rebellion – Hadad from Edom – Rezon in Aram (Syria) – Jereboam, son of Nebat • Death after approximately 40 years’ rule