2 Chronicles 2:17 - 3:17

 

SOLOMON BUILDS THE TEMPLE

Keywords 3:1a

Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah,

 

1. The location of the temple (3:1-2)

 Near the beginning of the fourth year of his reign, Solomon began to build the

temple. The location of the temple was Mount Moriah. This was where Abraham

had built an altar to sacrifice his son, Isaac. The Lord provided a ram for the

sacrifice instead. Years later, David offered a sacrifice on Mount Moriah to halt

God’s judgment upon his people. It was also the location where our Lord Jesus

was crucified for the sins of the world. It was a place of atonement. What an

awesome and holy place!

 

2. No expense was spared (2:17-18 and 3:3-17)

 A tremendous amount of labor was required to build the temple and a huge

amount of fine gold and precious stones were used to decorate the inside.

Twenty-three tons of gold were used in the Most Holy Place alone. Solomon

spared no expense in the construction of the temple. All of this is a fitting

response to the wonderful grace and mercy that we have received from God. His

grace and mercy stretch from one end of the world to the other like the wings of

the cherubim in the temple.

 

Prayer Lord Jesus, we offer everything to you.

One Word The Lord is worthy of our best

2 Chronicles 2:1-16

A TEMPLE THAT REFLECTS GOD’S GLORY

Keywords 2:6a

But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him?

1. A temple that is worthy (1-10)

 The time had come to build the temple of the LORD. Solomon gave the orders

and sent a letter to King Hiram requesting lumber and workers. Solomon’s

philosophy in building the temple was that the temple should reflect the glory of

God. Our God is greater than all others, so his temple should be the greatest as

well. The reality is, though, that no temple could possibly contain his exceedingly

great glory. Today, the redeemed in Christ are the temple of God. Do our lives

reflect his glory? Is our temple a place of obedient and faithful sacrifices to the

Lord?

 

2. A wise king and a skillful worker (11-16)

 King Hiram praised God for raising a wise and discerning king to build the

temple and he accepted Solomon’s request for lumber and workers. Huram-Abi, a

man of great skill, would be sent to implement the designs. Today, our Lord Jesus

Christ is building his temple with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit works like a

skilled craftsman to shape and fashion the Church of Christ. His work is precious

and beautiful. Praise God!

 

Prayer Father, may your name be exalted.

One Word The temple must reveal God’s glory

2 Chronicles 1:1-17

 

SOLOMON ASKS FOR WISDOM

Keywords 1:10

"Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

 

1. Solomon seeks the Lord (1-6)

 Solomon was not a self-made man. There is no such thing! God was with him

and God made him exceedingly great. This happens today when we surrender our

lives to Christ. Solomon gathered all the leaders of Israel at Gibeon to inquire of

the Lord. They offered 1,000 burnt offerings, representing their complete devotion

to the Lord. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.

 

2. Solomon’s prayer (7-17)

 God appeared to Solomon that night and prompted him to ask for whatever he

wanted from God. What would you ask for if you were him? Solomon asked for

wisdom and knowledge to lead God’s people. His request demonstrated a heart

for God’s people and God was very pleased to answer his prayer. God is honored

when we seek his kingdom and his righteousness first. He will hear and answer

our prayers if we pray for wisdom to love others, to serve those in need, and to

preach the gospel to the whole world.

 

Prayer Father, grant us wisdom to live for Christ and advance your kingdom.

One Word God answers our prayers for wisdom

1 Chronicles 29:10-30

 

YOURS, LORD, IS THE KINGDOM

Keywords 29:11

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

 

1. David’s prayer of praise (10-20)

 David led the whole assembly in a prayer that humbly praised God. His prayer

praised God for who he is and what he had done. David ascribed greatness,

power, glory, and majesty to the LORD God. All things, including the kingdom,

were the LORD’s who was Israel’s true ruler. David recognized that their offerings

to God had come from God in the first place. He prayed that the willingness of his

people to give to God may remain forever. What we offer comes from the hand of

God. May we also have God-honoring desires and thoughts in our hearts forever.

 

2. The LORD exalted Solomon (21-30)

 The next day, a huge offering was made to the LORD. They celebrated with

great joy. Then Solomon was again acknowledged as king. All pledged their

submission to Solomon. The LORD exalted Solomon before Israel. David lived out

his last days in blessing and honor. God had graciously raised a king for the next

generation.

 

Prayer Father, yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.

We praise you.

One Word Praise the LORD as he deserves

1 Chronicles 29:1-9

WHO IS WILLING TO CONSECRATE THEMSELVES TO THE LORD?

Keywords 29:9

The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

 

1. David gives over and above (1-4)

 King David understood that the temple was not for man but for the LORD God

himself. David had already provided large amounts of precious metals and stones

for the construction of the temple. But David believed God was worthy of much

more. In his devotion to the temple, David joyfully gave his personal treasures for

the work on the temple. His personal offering was substantial. David challenged

the leaders to also give to this work. Consecration to the LORD was practically

expressed through giving.

 

2. The leaders also give willingly (5-9)

 The leaders who had gathered were inspired by the king’s giving. They, too,

willingly gave toward the work of the temple of God. Their combined giving

surpassed the king’s and was collected in the temple treasury. The people rejoiced

at the free and wholehearted attitude of the leaders to contribute generously from

their personal wealth to the temple. Will you also consecrate yourself by freely and

willingly giving to the LORD?

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for giving me everything through Jesus. Help me to freely

give back to you.

One Word Give freely and willingly to the LORD

1 Chronicles 28:11-21

GOD’S DETAILED PLAN FOR THE TEMPLE

Keywords 28:19

"All this," David said, "I have in writing from the hand of the LORD upon me, and he gave me understanding in all the details of the plan."

 

1. David gave the plans to Solomon (11-19)

 The LORD himself inspired David with a very detailed plan for the temple. The

portico, the buildings, the rooms, the place of atonement, the temple courts,

etc. were all designed by God. God helped David understand all the details, and

then David shared these plans with Solomon. Moreover, David gave instructions

regarding the priests and Levites as well as the amount of precious metals used

in all the instruments for worship. These details helped the Israelites to understand

that God can only be approached by God’s way. The temple points to Jesus

Christ, the only way to God.

 

2. The LORD God is with you (20-21)

 The temple was the most important public works project ever undertaken in

Israel’s history. It represented their identity as God-worshiping people chosen by

him. Solomon was young and inexperienced. But David encouraged him to be

strong and courageous. God would help him. The people were ready to follow

Solomon’s leadership. God not only gives us work to do; he is with us to carry it to

completion. God never fails.

 

Prayer Father, you are holy. Thank you for Jesus through whom we can know and

worship you.

One Word Jesus our temple

1 Chronicles 28:1-10

WHOLEHEARTED DEVOTION AND A WILLING MIND

Keywords 28:9

"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever."

1. David’s charge for all Israel (1-8)

 King David assembled all the leaders and stewards mentioned in chapter 27.

Solomon needed their full support to build the temple and maintain stability in

the kingdom. They were reminded that the LORD did not allow David to build

the temple. They were also reminded that God established David as king and

Solomon his successor. God had done all this. In response, they were to follow all

of the LORD’s commands, for their sake and their descendants.

 

2. David’s charge to Solomon (9-10)

 God gave Solomon the unique task of building the temple. But David’s charge

to Solomon is universally applicable. He encouraged Solomon to wholeheartedly

and willingly serve God. The LORD knows all our desires and inmost thoughts.

Those who seek God will have a relationship with him, but those who forsake God

will be rejected.

 

Prayer LORD God, give me a pure heart, mind, and motive so that I may serve

you and please you.

One Word Willingness and devotion to God