Part 3 – The Construction of the Temple
Lesson Information
Series: Lessons from the Life of Solomon
Title: Part 3 – The Construction of the Temple
Speaker: Dr. Benny M. Abante, Jr.
Passage: 2 Chronicles 2:5 (KJV)
Service: New Life Bible Class
Date: November 15, 2016
Lesson No. 38: THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE
1 Kings 5:1-7:51; 2 Chronicles 2:1-4:22
And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.”
—2 Chronicles 2:5—
After the death of David, Solomon decreed for the building of the first Temple (1 Kings 5:3). He believed that to be established as a nation, Israel needed a national identity. And the construction of the Temple would provide them this national identity for years to come. The Temple was a place of worship and a home for the Ark of the Covenant. It was not only the fulfillment of the plan of King David to build a house for the Lord but the Temple was also a national monument that would establish Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel for the ages. The actual construction of the Temple began after Solomon had reigned for four (4) years.
We live in an on demand world where we grow impatient when projects are not completed quickly. Solomon began a 20-year building program. As we examine the various aspects of the Temple and the plan for building it, we can see the wisdom of Solomon as the leader of Israel.
A wise man will plan before he acts. Jesus taught this principle in Luke 14:28-30. The Temple took 7 years to complete. A wise man will first determine the will and way of God. When we know what God wants us to do, we can safely proceed. When we act in the will of God, we can be assured of God’s provision. Solomon’s wisdom brought him respect and even wealth.
Message
A. The Purposes for Constructing the Temple (2 Chronicles 2:1, 3-5).
1. It will serve as the House of the Lord (vv.1, 4-5; Ps. 122:1; 27:4; 84:10; 23:6; 1 Tim. 3:15).
2. It will be the House of Worship for God (John 4:21-24). Note that worship in Greek is proskuneo which means to make obeisance; an act of reverence to God.
3. It will be the House of Prayer for God’s People (Matt. 21:12-13).
B. The Place of the Temple (2 Chronicles 3:1)
1. The place where Abraham offered Isaac (Gen. 22:2-14).
2. The place where David offered the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite (1 Chron. 21:18-26; 22:1).
C. The Precious Materials for the Temple (2 Chronicles 3:2-10)
A conservative accounting of the gold and silver that David provided for the Temple reveals this would be 2 and 3 billion dollars in our money. The tabernacle had been at great expense and the same care went in to the building the Temple. The Temple was to prefabricated in Tyre and brought to Jerusalem for final assembly (1 King 6:7). There were no hammers, axes, or iron tools used in the building process.
The interior was constructed of wood overlaid with gold. This was then ornamented with sorts of precious stones. A look inside the Temple would reveal gold on every surface. This was an illustration or picture of the glory of the Lord that would fill this place.
This was truly a magnificent building that almost defies description. No expense was spared in its construction. In every way, it was the best that men could do and even by modern standards, it was a marvel.
—BP’s Messages/David Robinson,
Through the Bible 11.20.16
