Day 145: Solomon Builds the Temple

Today's readings: 1 Kings 3, 2 Chronicles 4-5, and Psalm 64.

I. 1 Kings 3 recounts how Solomon asked God for wisdom rather than wealth or power, to which the Lord responded by gifting him all three. One of the most famous demonstrations of Solomon's wisdom comes from his ruling between two women who disputed the motherhood of an infant (3:16-47). However, we also get some early hints that his reign will not be without problems. The first being his marriage to Pharaoh's daughter. That meant an entangling alliance with pagan Egypt and a mother of his children who herself was raised pagan. 

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary on this:

For the first time, we begin to sense that Solomon, for all his wisdom. is going to do something unwise. The Lord has given Solomon the wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong, but he does not necessarily choose what is right over what is wrong. Like Solomon, we might know the right thing to do, but this does not mean that we will always do the right thing. We need God's grace both to know the truth and choose to live it. (p. 52)

II. 2 Chronicles 4 continues the account of the construction of the Temple, concentrating not on the building itself but on the objects used in its worship and sacrifices. The sacred furnishings are completed for the worship of God and placed in the Temple.

In the next chapter, the Temple was completed, the Ark was placed in the Holy of Holies, and God made His presence known as the glory of God filled the Temple.

III. Psalm 64 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm. The speaker prays for God's protection against the treachery of enemies who plot to harm him with evil words - presumably by slanderous accusations. He is confident, not only of his innocence, but that God will dole out a fitting punishment on his persecutors. Then the righteous will rejoice that justice has been served. (p. 882)

That's all for today!