1 Kings 5: Kingdom Purpose

​Key Verse
5 And so I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’ 
 
Meditation
God’s covenant promises fuel purpose, moving hearts to participate in kingdom work.
 
Servants from Tyre (1) joined peoples of all nations to hear Solomon’s wisdom (4:34). Solomon leveraged his father’s favor to enlist help to build the temple (2-3). Tyre’s king “rejoiced greatly” at the invitation, blessing the Lord (7) and entering into a treaty that promised an impressive number of supplies and manpower. (12-18)
 
Under Solomon’s rule, Israel had “peace and rest on every side.” Motivated by God’s promise to his father David that his son would build the temple (2 Samuel 7:13), Solomon set out for the work God prepared in advance for him to do. (4-5)
 
The generosity of Tyre’s king is a foretaste of the “wealth of nations” that will come into the New Jerusalem. The riches of nations will enter eternity to elevate God’s glory (Revelation 21:24-26) that will cover the earth as the water covers the seas (Habakkuk 2:14). Jesus will be hailed as King of Kings (Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 24:29-31; Acts 1), establishing His rule over everything. There will be no more curse, tears, death, mourning, sickness, or sorrow (Revelation 21:1-6).
 
God’s promises fuel purpose, moving hearts to participate in kingdom work. The rule of King Jesus gives a greater peace than Israel experienced under Solomon because all God’s promises are “Yes!” in Him (2 Corinthians 1:20). From God’s sovereign grace, Christians have the purpose to walk into the works Jesus has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:8-10) knowing what we do today in Jesus name will carry glory for God into eternity (1 Corinthians 15:58).
 
 
Today’s Reading
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David. 2 And Solomon sent word to Hiram, 3 “You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. 4 But now the Lordmy God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. 5 And so I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’ 6 Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”

7 As soon as Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the Lord this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people.” 8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message that you have sent to me. I am ready to do all you desire in the matter of cedar and cypress timber. 9 My servants shall bring it down to the sea from Lebanon, and I will make it into rafts to go by sea to the place you direct. And I will have them broken up there, and you shall receive it. And you shall meet my wishes by providing food for my household.” 10 So Hiram supplied Solomon with all the timber of cedar and cypress that he desired, 11 while Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 cors of wheat as food for his household, and 20,000 cors of beaten oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year. 12 And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.

13 King Solomon drafted forced labor out of all Israel, and the draft numbered 30,000 men. 14 And he sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 a month in shifts. They would be a month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of the draft. 15 Solomon also had 70,000 burden-bearers and 80,000 stonecutters in the hill country, 16 besides Solomon's 3,300 chief officers who were over the work, who had charge of the people who carried on the work. 17 At the king's command they quarried out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stones. 18 So Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders and the men of Gebal did the cutting and prepared the timber and the stone to build the house.
 

Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the movement of work of Solomon and the generosity of Tyre’s king?
 
-Solomon was motivated by God’s promise. Jesus is the fulness of God’s promises, all of them “YES!” in Him. Where does God’s promise need to move you to participate in His mission?
 
-Do you see the works Jesus has prepared in advance for you to do? If not, take a moment to ask His Spirit to make them clear, giving you the courage to walk into them.
 
Key Verse
5 And so I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’