The Dedication of the Temple

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Chapter 8 covers the dedication of the Temple. Five events are covered:

  1. The Arks placement.
  2. Solomon's speech.
  3. Solomon's prayer.
  4. Solomon's benediction.
  5. The offering and feast.

With the completion of the Temple, Solomon assembled all the leaders of Israel at Jerusalem. It was during the time of the Tabernacle Festival, which was also called the Festival of Booths or Ingathering, one of the 3 major festivals of Judaism. It was an 8-day celebration beginning in late September and carrying over into early October. It was like our Thanksgiving celebration, giving thanks for a bountiful harvest.

At this time, the Priests carried in the Ark of the Covenant and all the sacred vessels that had been previously in the Tabernacle that David had built in Jerusalem. All were brought and put into the Temple. At this time, Solomon and all the people sacrificed numerous sheep and oxen.

Notice the difference in the "Cherubim" in the Tabernacle versus the Temple. In the Tabernacle the Cherubim were mounted on the top of the Ark on what was called the "Mercy Seat" and were only about 2 foot high. Here it appears that the Cherubim were hung from the ceiling over the Ark.

The Cherubims were much larger in the Temple. Their wings overshadowed the Ark and only the carrying poles stuck out beyond them. It would appear that at that time, the "veil" that covered the door between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies had not been put in place as it says the poles could be seen from the Holy Place. Inside the Ark still remained the tablets of stone containing the 10 Commandants given to Moses on Mt. Sinai in 1275 BC. The Temple was completed in 954 BC, so the tablets had been in the Ark some 321 years.

It might be interesting to look briefly at the history of the Ark of the Covenant. There are two Hebrew words translated "ark" in English, Te-bah and A-ron, both mean box or chest. Te-bah is used only twice in the Bible. Once, in reference to the boat that Noah built and another time referring to the container that the mother of Moses put him in at the bull rushes on the Nile River. A-ron is used only once referring to the box known as the Ark of the Covenant, also called, The Ark of Yahweh, The Ark of God and the Ark of the Testimony.

This Ark was built by God's command and specifications along with the Tabernacle in 1275 BC. It was transported by the Levites with poles set upon their shoulders. It led then for 40 years. It remained upon the shoulders of the Levites in the middle of the Jordan River at their crossing. It was carried around the city of Jericho per God's instructions, when the city was destroyed. It was taken into battle on numerous occasions, once it was captured by the Philistines to their sorrow. David brought it into Jerusalem and put it into a Tabernacle that he had constructed. It remained there until now, when Solomon moved it into the newly built Temple. It remained there until 586 BC, some 368 years, when it was either destroyed or captured by the Babylonians when they destroyed Jerusalem.

Some speculations about the Ark's where a bouts after 586 BC. in scripture:

  1. Jeremiah 3:15, which may have been post-exile, mentions the Ark and is the only reference to it in prophetic literature.
  2. Ezekiel chapters 40 thru 48, is a detailed vision of the Temple but there is no mention of the Ark.
  3. Jewish tradition tells of it being hidden, to be brought out sometime in the remote future.
  4. After the exile, the city of Jerusalem replaced the Ark as God's throne. After the coming of Christ, the heart of the Christian was the throne of God. Perhaps there is no longer a need for it. So the Priests take the Ark into the Holy of Holies and as they came out the Temple was filled with a "Bright Cloud" signifying the presence of God. So bright judge the sincerity of the penitent.
  5. He asked God to forgive the penitent. If they sin and judgment is brought upon them, and they turn from their wicked ways and repent, forgive them and return them to your grace.
  6. He asked God to hear the prayers of the sincere sojourner for all the nations of the earth will know that this is your Temple
  7. He asked God to hear the prayers of the soldiers, those who go out to battle the enemy.
  8. He asked God to forgive them if they repent regardless of where they were and go to their assistance.

Then Solomon arose from his knees and gave this benediction: "May the Lord, our God, be with us as he was our fathers, may He give us the desire to obey His commandments, may the words of my prayer be constantly before Him, may all people know that He is God and may the people obey His Laws and Commandants always."

Then Solomon and all the people dedicated the Temple by sacrificing peace offerings unto the Lord. Afterwards, Solomon sent the people home.


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