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| Photo Credit: bibleQ |
Our reading today began with Solomon constructing his personal palace. In
reading the details of Solomon’s palace we first might get the idea that
Solomon built a much bigger and better home for himself than he did for God.
However that is not necessarily the case. I want to turn to the words of James
Smith, Old Testament professor and scholar. He writes ….
The palace
complex dominated the outer court which surrounded the temple mount. This
complex was thirteen years in construction. This longer period spent on the palace
does not argue for selfishness on the part of Solomon. On the contrary, his
piety caused him to build the temple first. The temple construction was much
faster because (1) David had gathered enormous quantities of materials in
advance; (2) Solomon employed a special force of laborers on the temple; and
(3) the temple was small in comparison to the palace complex. The place complex
consisted of five major buildings. 1. The
house of the forest of Lebanon. 2.
The porch of pillars. 3. The hall of
justice. 4. The palace. 5. House of Pharaoh’s daughter. [1]
Solomon’s palace may have been bigger
than the Lord’s Temple, but we have to remember it served a different purpose.
God’s Temple was the place where God resided and offerings to God were made.
The palace was the home of Solomon, it was the treasury and armory for the
nation, it was a gathering place for people waiting to see the king and for
court appearances, it is where court proceedings took place, and it was the
home to Pharaoh’s daughter. So while much larger, we must remember it served
more than one purpose. The palace had to be large to serve its role.
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