Day 147: Temple Worship

Today's readings: 1 Kings 5, 2 Chronicles 7-8, and Psalm 66.

I. 1 Kings 5 recounts how Solomon prepared to build the Temple, fulfilling what his father David had desired to do. This included making an alliance with Tyre and obtaining timber from them. Solomon also organized the labor for the materials in building the Temple.

II. 2 Chronicles 7 followed the completion and dedication of Solomon's Temple. It had two major events: God visibly accepted the Temple and then privately warned Solomon that covenant faithfulness matters more than the building itself. 

In the next chapter, Solomon puts his kingdom, especially its worship, into proper order. He did many construction projects to benefit the Israelites, and placed the surviving non-Israelite peoples under forced labor. He implemented David's liturgical organization for the Temple and cooperated with his ally in Tyre on maritime trade.

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

Though the Lord has given Solomon a direct warning to remain close to him, we know that he does not. Solomon takes foreign women as his wives, but instead of bringing them into the covenant, he allows them to continue to worship their false gods. This opens Solomon up to idolatry. The worship God desires is obedience. While Solomon is the wisest man in Israel, he is unwilling to be obedient to the Lord. There is only one way to love God: to obey him and love our neighbor. (p. 56)

III. Psalm 66 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A thanksgiving psalm. The speaker invites the world to sing of God's greatness; he celebrates God's gifts and miracles on behalf of Israel; he vows to offer the Lord sacrifices in gratitude; and he tells how the Lord rescued him from peril in answer to prayer. Even Gentiles are invited to bless the God of Israel. Note that the worship of God is expressed in both word and deed, song and sacrifice. (pp. 883-884)

That's all for today!