 At the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the house of the Lord and his own house, 2 Solomon rebuilt the cities that Hiram had given to him, and settled the people of Israel in them.
3 And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah and took it. 4 He built Tadmor in the wilderness and all the store cities that he built in Hamath. 5 He also built Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon, fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars, 6 and Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had and all the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen, and whatever Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion. 7 All the people who were left of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel, 8 from their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel had not destroyed—these Solomon drafted as forced labor, and so they are to this day.9 But of the people of Israel Solomon made no slaves for his work; they were soldiers, and his officers, the commanders of his chariots, and his horsemen. 10 And these were the chief officers of King Solomon, 250, who exercised authority over the people. 11 Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter up from the city of David to the house that he had built for her, for he said, “My wife shall not live in the house of David king of Israel, for the places to which the ark of the Lord has come are holy.” 12 Then Solomon offered up burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of the Lord that he had built before the vestibule,13 as the duty of each day required, offering according to the commandment of Moses for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the three annual feasts—the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths. 14 According to the ruling of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service, and the Levites for their offices of praise and ministry before the priests as the duty of each day required, and the gatekeepers in their divisions at each gate, for so David the man of God had commanded. 15 And they did not turn aside from what the king had commanded the priests and Levites concerning any matter and concerning the treasuries. 16 Thus was accomplished all the work of Solomon from the day the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid until it was finished. So the house of the Lord was completed. 17 Then Solomon went to Ezion-geber and Eloth on the shore of the sea, in the land of Edom. 18 And Hiram sent to him by the hand of his servants ships and servants familiar with the sea, and they went to Ophir together with the servants of Solomon and brought from there 450 talents of gold and brought it to King Solomon. Meditation God has a tremendous purpose for you! His sovereign grace has prepared good works for you to do, purposes His grace prepares us to discover (Titus 3:1). God’s grace awakens us to participate in God’s good work (Titus 3:3-8), works Jesus Himself prepared in advance for believers to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). Faithful participation in God’s work is worship to the God who redeemed us through the work of Christ. Solomon’s works are celebrated in today’s reading. The success of his large, secure kingdom makes a way for a sizable workforce for his building campaigns. Centered on the temple, also celebrated are other works Solomon accomplished. Solomon’s wonderful works were in obedience to God’s will and a part of God’s plan. Our participation in His work is worship when it is a vehicle for God’s glory. The works we accomplish are prepared by God and done with the help of God (Nehemiah 6:16), so our work must be a vehicle for the glory of God! Jesus is the greater Solomon (Matthew 12:42) who accomplished the work the Father sent Him to do (John 17:4). Secured in God’s grace, believers are purified to be zealous for participation in God’s work of redemptive restoration (Titus 2:14). Enthusiasm for God will empower engagement for the work(s) He has prepared for us. And He will reward those who faithfully steward what He has given (Revelation 22:12). Richly Dwelling -Are you empowered by the revelation that God has a purpose for you? -How does Solomon’s work inspire you, realizing the work itself will not satisfy but only the God who has prepared the work(s)? -Ask God’s Spirit to show you the work He has for you today. Most of us will not have huge building campaigns like Solomon! But all of us have something to do for Jesus, someone to love in His name. Key Verse 16 Thus was accomplished all the work of Solomon from the day the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid until it was finished. So the house of the Lord was completed. Comments are closed.
|