1 KINGS LESSON 11


     We will begin this lesson in I Kings 8:1 " Then Solomon assembled
the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of
the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem,
that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of
the city of David, which [is] Zion."

     Solomon had, possibly, heard David tell of the problem they
encountered, when they moved the ark to Jerusalem. Notice, The elders,
heads of the tribes, and the fathers of the children of Israel. We
see, that the ark would be moved with great celebration. This is not
really moving it out of Jerusalem, which is, also, known as Zion. This
is the greatest event in their lives. They will be moving the ark into
the holy of holies in the temple. The ark was called the ark of the
covenant, because of the ten commandments carved on stone that were
inside the ark.

     I Kings 8:2 "And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto
king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which [is] the seventh
month."

     This seventh month is spoken of, without telling us which year it
was. This feast is, probably, the feast of tabernacles, that all of
the males were required to attend. Ethanim, or the seventh month would
be the same as our October.

     I Kings 8:3 "And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests
took up the ark."

     We know how important it is for no one, except the priests, to
touch the ark. Even they must do this with staves run through hoops,
so that they will not actually touch the ark. The elders accompanied,
but the priests carried it.

     I Kings 8:4 "And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the
tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that [were]
in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring
up."

     God had set aside the Levitical tribe to care for the ark and the
things in the tabernacle. Each thing must be carried by those, who are
dedicated to the LORD for that purpose. Each thing must be handled
with utmost care. All of the vessels in the tabernacle had been
dedicated to the LORD. They must be handled by those, who the LORD has
designated.

     I Kings 8:5 "And king Solomon, and all the congregation of
Israel, that were assembled unto him, [were] with him before the ark,
sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for
multitude."

     This sacrificing, along the way, was to show their gratitude to
God for giving them the ark {which symbolized His presence with them}.
The sacrifices were thank offerings. They sacrificed so many animals
along the way, they lost count of how many.

     I Kings 8:6 "And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant
of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most
holy [place, even] under the wings of the cherubims."

     The lesson we studied on the cherubims in the holy of holies,
told us that the entire wall was covered with the wings of the
cherubims.  The ark containing the ten commandments would be placed
just before the cherubims. The mercy seat covered the ark. We must
remember, that everything in the holy of holies was pure gold, or 24
kt. gold overlaid, because it was in the presence of God.

     I Kings 8:7 "For the cherubims spread forth [their] two wings
over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the
staves thereof above."

     This is saying, they actually hovered over the ark. The main
thing they did was to keep curious eyes from seeing the ark. No one
was allowed into the holy of holies, but the high priest.

     I Kings 8:8 "And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the
staves were seen out in the holy [place] before the oracle, and they
were not seen without: and there they are unto this day."

     The staves were not to be removed from the ark. This, possibly,
means they were brought forward, and someone saw them. Perhaps, the
reason for the staves being removed, would mean that the ark is, now,
in its home to stay. It will not go forth anymore.

     I Kings 8:9 "[There was] nothing in the ark save the two tables
of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made [a
covenant] with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land
of Egypt."

     Earlier the ark had contained the manna, the tables of the
covenant, and the rod of Aaron that bloomed. The manna and the rod of
Aaron were, probably, lost, when the ark was taken by Israel's
enemies, the Philistines, in battle. There was no monetary value to
the two tables of stones, so the Philistines would not have taken
them. The mannah was in a pot of gold, however, and the rod would have
been usable, as well.

     I Kings 8:10 "And it came to pass, when the priests were come out
of the holy [place], that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,"

     This is actually speaking of the most holy place. This is the
same cloud that went with the Israelites during the wilderness
wanderings. This meant that God had accepted this temple. He would,
generally, be in the holy of holies, but this is speaking of His
presence all through the temple.

     I Kings 8:11 "So that the priests could not stand to minister
because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house
of the LORD."

     The presence of the LORD was so great even in the holy place,
that the priests could not stand. The manifestation of the presence of
the LORD had completely overcome them. They had been putting oil in
the lamp, or another task of equal importance, when they were stopped
ministering. No person can stand in the midst of the glory of the
LORD. They will fall on their face in worship, as the priests did.

     I Kings 8:12  "Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would
dwell in the thick darkness."

     Solomon was overwhelmed, that the LORD had obviously accepted the
house he had built. The smoke was so thick, that it looked like
darkness. Solomon was aware the LORD was in the midst of the darkness.

     I Kings 8:13 "I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a
settled place for thee to abide in for ever."

     As magnificent as the temple was, it was but an earthly house.
Solomon's desire was for the LORD to live with his people. The temple
was just a place for the ark to rest. God is omnipresent {everywhere
all at the same time}. He could not be contained in this temple. He is
pleased that Solomon and His people have built the temple, but it
cannot, and will not, house the LORD in His entirety.

     I Kings 8:14 "And the king turned his face about, and blessed all
the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel
stood;)"

     The congregation was in honor of the occasion. Solomon blessed
the people.

     I Kings 8:15 "And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel,
which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his
hand fulfilled [it], saying,"

     This praise to the LORD is spoken in front of Nathan and the
people. David had been the beloved of the LORD. He did not allow David
to build the temple, because he was a warrior. David had asked to
build the temple, and God fulfilled it in David's son, Solomon.

     I Kings 8:16 "Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel
out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build
an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over
my people Israel."

     This is what the LORD had told David. God had not wanted them to
have a king, but when they insisted on having a king like the other
nations around them, He gave them Saul. God was not pleased with Saul,
because he did not obey the commandments of God. God sought out David
to rule over his people. He was a man after God's own heart. God was
pleased with David, and God was with him as the ruler of all Israel.

     I Kings 8:17 "And it was in the heart of David my father to build
an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel."

     David wanted to build the LORD God a house, but he was not
allowed to, because he was a man of war. With as much conflict as
there was, it would have been impossible for David to work on the
temple. David desired this in his heart so greatly, that God promised
him he would let his son, Solomon, build the temple.

     I Kings 8:18 "And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it
was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well
that it was in thine heart."  I Kings 8:19 "Nevertheless thou shalt
not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy
loins, he shall build the house unto my name."

     God knew that David loved Him with all his heart. He was very
pleased at the condition of David's heart.

     I Kings 8:20 "And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake,
and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the
throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for
the name of the LORD God of Israel."

     Absalom had actually sought to be king, but Solomon never did.
Solomon did not even ask to be king. He, like David, was chosen of God
for this purpose. He was a man of peace, and there was plenty of time
to build the ark a permanent home. Solomon was chosen by David to be
king. He was not even aware of this, until he heard Nathan calling him
king. Solomon was not conceited. He knew it was the LORD's love for
David that put him into this position. He spoke of himself, as being
as a little child in wisdom to lead the people. God miraculously
endowed him with wisdom more than any other man of his time. God
placed in the mind and heart of Solomon, the ability to build  the
temple.

     I Kings 8:21 "And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein
[is] the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he
brought them out of the land of Egypt."

     The purpose of the temple was to house the ark. This was to be a
permanent dwelling place. The tables with the ten commandments had
been received by Moses, while they were on the way to the promised
land. God had given specific instructions on how to build the ark to
contain the commandments. This temple in Jerusalem would be the first
permanent house for the ark.







                        1 Kings 11 Questions


1.  Who did Solomon call to be in attendance, when the ark was moved?
2.  Jerusalem is known as __________.
3.  What month was the feast?
4.  What is the feast, probably?
5.  What month on our calendar would be their 7th month?
6.  Who carried the ark?
7.  How did they carry it?
8.  What did they bring to the temple, besides the ark?
9.  What tribe had God set aside, to care for the things of the
    tabernacle, or temple?
10. What did they sacrifice before the ark?
11. What did the ark symbolize?
12. Where would the ark be placed?
13. Why is it mentioned, they removed the staves from the ark?
14. What was in the ark?
15. What else should have been in the ark?
16. When the priests came out of the most holy place, what happened?
17. What effect did the presence of the LORD have on the priests?
18. Quote 1 Kings chapter 8 verse 12.
19. In verse 13, what does Solomon say he has done for the LORD?
20. Why was David not allowed to build the temple?
21. Who blessed the congregation?
22. Who had God spoken to, in verse 15?
23. God chose __________ to lead His people Israel.
24. What had been in the heart of David?
25. Who chose for Solomon to build the temple?
26. Which of David's sons wanted to be king?
27. What was the purpose of the temple?
28. Where had they received the ten commandments?