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SOLOMON, THE BUILDER. I Kings 7:1-12. 05/29/2022. #16.
1But Solomon took thirteen years to build his own house; so he finished all his house. 2 He also built the House of the Forest of Lebanon; its length was one hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits, with four rows of cedar pillars, and cedar beams on the pillars. 3 And it was paneled with cedar above the beams that were on forty-five pillars, fifteen to a row. 4 There were windows with beveled frames in three rows, and window was opposite window in three tiers. 5 And all the doorways and doorposts had rectangular frames; and window was opposite window in three tiers. 6 He also made the Hall of Pillars: its length was fifty cubits, and its width thirty cubits; and in front of them was a portico with pillars, and a canopy was in front of them. 7 Then he made a hall for the throne, the Hall of Judgment, where he might judge; and it was paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling. 8 And the house where he dwelt had another court inside the hall, of like workmanship. Solomon also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom he had taken as wife. 9 All these were of costly stones cut to size, trimmed with saws, inside and out, from the foundation to the eaves, and also on the outside to the great court. 10 The foundation was of costly stones, large stones, some ten cubits and some eight cubits. 11 And above were costly stones, hewn to size, and cedar wood. 12 The great court was enclosed with three rows of hewn stones and a row of cedar beams. So were the inner court of the house of the Lord and the vestibule of the temple.
1. A master builder
a. Chapter 7 starts out, “but Solomon…”
a1. A point to be made: Sol. took 7 years to build the temple, but 13 years for his house
a2. Even though he took longer, he may not have used as many laborers
b. Sol.’s house = no dimensions given
c. Stones were 12-15 inches length (2-3 tons each)
d. House of the Forest of Lebanon was larger than the temple (a secondary house)
a1. 150 feet x 75 feet x 45 feet (the White House is 168 feet x 85 feet x 70 feet, but has offices in it)
a2. Made of costly stones and cedar
e. Built a similar house for his 1st wife, the daughter of pharaoh
f. Hall of Pillars (75 inches x 45 inches) – perhaps a dining and reception hall to entertain guests
g. Hall of Judgment – for his throne
h. Great craftsmanship of similar material used in the temple, except for the Gold
a1. Emphasis on costly stones and skilled artisans
a2. A grand design with beveled windows, grand pillars, and great canopies
i. Far beyond what David or Saul had built
2. Grandeur of Solomon’s rule
a. Several features noted about Solomon’s buildings:
a1. Grand and costly
a2. They reflected glory on his reign (Matthew 6 – Solomon and all his glory)
a3. His subjects had to pay for, build, and foot the cost of maintaining all the buildings
a4. These buildings were in addition to his massive stables and other projects
a5. As Solomon accumulated more wives, concubines, and servants, he had to do more building
b. Solomon had to decide if he wanted to honor the Lord or glorify himself
a1. His concentration determined his spiritual focus and effectiveness
a2. It is difficult to focus both on building great things and serving God (James 1)
c. A king or leader must decide if he is going to serve the people or if the people are going to serve him
d. Samuel had warned Israel that kings will take away from them in order to enhance their own pleasure
a1. Saul was arbitrary, egotistical, and cruel
a2. David did well, but allowed his lust and lack of good judgment to taint his kingdom
a3. Solomon lusted after many women, who turned his heart away from the Lord
3. Snare of wealth and power
a. Wealth and power are cruel masters
a1. The insatiable desires of the lustful soul are never satisfied and soon end
a2. Concentrating on obtaining wealth brings one to a disappointing end (Ecclesiastes 12)
b. All grandeur is left behind
a1. Solomon bemoaned leaving all behind (Ecclesiastes 2:19)
a2. What did Solomon send ahead into eternity?
a3. Who did Solomon help? What example did he set? What legacy did he leave behind?
c. When this earth ends, what will be remembered?