Hebrew Monarchy, The (continued) – Hebrew Monarchy, The (continued)

Hebrew Monarchy, The (continued)

41. The People numbered. The anger of the Lord was kindled Against Israel, and Satan stood up and provoked David to number the people (2 Samuel 24:1; 1 Chronicles 21:1). Joab was delegated by the king to make the enumeration, and notwithstanding his strong opposition to this movement of the king, he was finally compelled to submit. Joab and the Captains of the host departed, and returned after an absence of nine Months and twenty days and reported that, not withstanding the work was Incomplete, Judah and Israel numbered one million and three hundred thousand (2 Samuel 24:1-9; 1 Chronicles 21:1-8). David saw his mistake and prayed for forgiveness (2 Samuel 24:10; 1 Chronicles 21:7,8). The Lord sent Gad, the seer, to David, who gave him his choice between seven years of famine, three Months of defeat in war, and three days of pestilence. David acknowledged that he was in a great strait but expressed his Willingness to abide by the will of the Lord. The Lord sent a Pestilence upon the people and seventy thousand died between Dan and Beersheba, but when the angel of the Lord stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented of the evil He had proposed to do to them. When David saw the angel he expressed his Willingness to take the punishment due his sin. The prophet Gad came to David and commanded him to go and rear up an altar at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, and David proceeded to obey the command. Araunah received the king with respect and inquired why he had come to Him, and he told him. Araunah expressed a willingness to allow the king to take whatever he desired, but he declined, declaring that he would Not offer to the Lord that which cost him nothing. David brought the threshing floor and oxen for fifty shekels of silver, and the entire Place for six hundred shekels of gold, and he then built an altar, offered sacrifices, and the Lord was entreated for the land and the plague was stayed (2 Samuel 24:11-25; 1 Chronicles 21:9-27). When David saw that his offering was accepted he proceeded to offer sacrifices there, for the tabernacle of the Lord was at this time on the high place at Gibeon, and he was afraid to go there because of the sword of the angel Of the Lord (1 Chronicles 21:28-30).

42. Preparation for the Temple. Toward the close of David's life The Lord gave him a plan for the future temple (1 Chronicles 28:11,12), and he made extensive preparations for it in stone, wood, gold, silver and brass. He also called Solomon and charged him to build the house, Assuring him that it was the will of the Lord, and commanded the Princes to help him (1 Chronicles 22:1-19).

43. Divisions of the Levites. At the command of David, the Priests, singers and porters were divided into twenty-four courses each (1 Chronicles 23:1-26:32).

44. Gifts for the Temple. David exhorted the people, in view of his Gifts, and the fact that his heart was set upon it, to give to the building of the house of God, and the result was they gave with willing minds and great liberality. David blessed the Lord, and then called on the people to join him in honoring His holy name which they did with great reverence (1 Chronicles 29:1-21).

45. Solomon Made King. When David became old and feeble Adonijah Attempted to usurp the throne. He attracted to this standard, Joab, Abiathar and other distinguished men of the nation (1 Kings 1:1-10). The prophet Nathan communicated to Bathsheba a knowledge of the situation. And she immediately laid the matter before king David, and while she was in his presence the prophet went in and confirmed her words. The King at once announced his purpose to have Solomon inaugurated, and Called Zadok, Nathan and Benaiah and commanded them to take his Servants, cause Solomon to ride upon the king's mule and proceed to Gihon and there proclaim him king. David's chief men expressed their submission to the king's desire and made Solomon king. The people received the young king with great shouts of joy, and when Adonijah's adherents heard it they forsook him, and he fled and laid hold upon the horns of the altar. When Solomon learned this, he declared that if his brother would show himself a worthy man, he would be protected, otherwise he would be put to death. He subsequently dismissed him and sent him to his home (1 Kings 1:1-53).

46. Davids Charge to Solomon'. After Solomon became king, David gave him a solemn charge, telling him that he was going the way of all the earth and exhorting him to be strong and show himself a man. He urged him to obey the law of Moses, assuring him that the perpetuity of His throne depended on it. He also commanded him to punish Joab and Shimei, and show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite (1 Kings 2:1-9).

47. Death of David. David died and was buried in the city of David. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem (1 Kings 2:10,11). It is declared of him that he died in a good old age, full of riches and honor (1 Chronicles 29:28).

48. Solomons Early reign'. The Lord magnified Solomon, and all Israel submitted to his authority (1 Chronicles 29:23-25). Among the first acts of his reign were,

1. the execution of Adonijah,

2. the execution of Joab and the elevation of Benaiah to his position,

3. the expulsion of Abiathar from the priestly office and the elevation of Zadok to his place,

4. and the suspension of the sentence of Shimei (1 Kings 2:12-46).

49. Solomons Marriage'. Soon after Solomon became king, he made affinity with Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and married his daughter (1 Kings 3:1).

50. Solomons Choice'. Solomon and many of his countrymen repaired to the high place of Gibeon to the tabernacle, where numerous Sacrifices were offered to the Lord. The Lord appeared to him by night and asked him what He should give him. Solomon replied by Acknowledging God's great mercies to his father, and expressing his appreciation to the Lord's hand in his elevation to the throne; and also declared that in view of his youth he desired an understanding heart that he might wisely rule his people (1 Kings 3:2-9; 2 Chronicles 1:3-10). The request greatly pleased the Lord, and He told him that He would give him wisdom, also riches and honor, and promised him long life on Condition of obedience to His commandments (1 Kings 3:10-14; 2 Chronicles 1:11,12).

51. Solomons Wisdom'. Soon after the king's return to Jerusalem, he manifested his great wisdom by deciding a difficult question between two women touching the motherhood of a child (1 Kings 3:15-28), God continued to fulfill His promise to Solomon and he surpassed all his Contemporaries. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs were a thousand and five. Many people were attracted to him on account of his Wisdom (1 Kings 4:29-34).

52. Civil and Military Arrangements. During Solomon's reign the promise to Abraham was fulfilled, and Solomon reigned in peace over all the kingdoms, from the Euphrates to the river of Egypt. In order to Maintain his position, he gathered around him distinguished men, and also made extensive military preparations (1 Kings 4:1-28; 2 Chronicles 1:13-17).

53. The Temple. Solomon's fame spread abroad, and he entered into A commercial relation with Hiram, king of Tyre, who assisted him greatly in preparing material for the house of God. Cedar and fir Timber were transported by sea to Joppa and from thence to Jerusalem by Land (1 Kings 5:1-10). In return Solomon paid Hiram liberally, both for his household and his servants (1 Kings 5:11,12; 2 Chronicles 2:8-10). Many of the children of Israel and all the strangers sojourning in the land were required to assist the king in his great undertaking (1 Kings 5:13-17 1 Chronicles 2:17,18). They began to build the house in the fourth year of Solomon's reign and in the four hundred and eightieth year after the Exodus (1 Kings 6:1; 2 Chronicles 3:2), and so thoroughly had the building material been prepared, that during the erection no sound of tools was heard (1 Kings 6:7). The dimensions of the house were, allowing eighteen inches to the cubit, ninety feet long, thirty feet wide and forty-five feet high, and the porch before it was thirty feet long, fifteen feet Wide and once hundred and eighty feet high (1 Kings 6:2,3; 2 Chronicles 3:3,4). It was divided into two apartments

1. the temple or holy place,

2. the oracle or most holy place.

The first apartment was, allowing eighteen inches to the cubit, sixty feet long, thirty feet wide and forty-five feet (?) high. The second apartment was thirty feet long, thirty feet wide, and thirty feet high (1 Kings 6:2-20; 2 Chronicles 3:3-8). The furniture of the temple consisted of, in the court,

1. altar of brass,

2. molten sea,

3. and ten lavers (2 Chronicles 4:1-6);

In the first apartment,

1. ten candlesticks,

2. ten tables,

3. and altar of incense (1 Kings 6:22; 2 Chronicles 4:7,8);

In the oracle, the ark of the covenant overshadowed by the wings Of the cherubim (1 Kings 6:23-30; 2 Chronicles 3:11-13). The house was beautiful and glorious in all its appointments (2 Chronicles 3:14-17). After the completion of the temple, the ark of the covenant, constructed at Mount Sinai, was placed in the most holy place, and the staves were taken out, indicating that the days of its pilgrimage were past, and the Lord filled the house with His glory (1 Kings 8:1-11; 2 Chronicles 5:1-9). At the time the ark was placed in the temple there was nothing in it save the two tables placed there by Moses (2 Chronicles 5:10). Solomon officiated at the dedication of the temple, and the chief point of his prayer was that The Lord should always hear His people when they turned their faces in Prayer toward His holy house (1 Kings 8:12-61; 2 Chronicles 6:1-7:11). A vast number of sacrifices were presented to the Lord, and the people rejoiced in His presence (1 Kings 8:62-66). The Lord appeared to Solomon during the erection of the temple and promised him that on condition of Obedience He would dwell among the children of Israel and not forsake them (1 Kings 6:11-13). He appeared to him after the dedication of the house and assured him that He had heard his prayer, and that He had Hallowed the house and would watch over it perpetually. He also Promised the king to perpetuate and establish his throne if he would Obey Him, and threatened to send terrible calamities on Israel if the people should depart from His law (1 Kings 9:10).

54. Solomons home'. The king built a residence for himself Of magnificent proportions and a throne of precious material at great cost (1 Kings 7:1-12; 1 Kings 10:18-20).

55. Hiram rewarded. After the work in which the king was engaged was completed, he rewarded his distinguished assistant, Hiram, king of Tyre, by giving him twenty cities in Galilee. Hiram inspected the Cities and refused to accept them on the ground that they were Displeasing (1 Kings 9:11-13).

56. Solomons Naval operations'. Solomon subsequently formed a business relation with Hiram, and great success resulted from their Voyages (1 Kings 9:26-28; 1 Chronicles 8:17,18).

57. Queen of Sheba. Solomon's glory spread in every direction, and the queen of Sheba hearing of his great wealth determined to see for Herself. Upon her arrival the king exhibited his magnificent Achievements to the extent that she was completely overcome and Declared that the half had never been told. After exchanging presents with the king, she returned to her own country (1 Kings 10:1-10 1 Chronicles 9:1-9).

58. Apostasy. Toward the close of Solomon's reign and in the days Of his great prosperity he forsook the Lord and formed alliances with all the surrounding nations. He had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. They turned away his heart from the Lord, and he became associated with his wives in the support and perpetuation of the Idolatrous practices of the nations from which they had come. The Lord's anger was kindled against the king, and He declared that, in View of his sins, He would rend the kingdom from him and give it to his Servant, but told him that He would give him one tribe for David's sake, and also that he would postpone the division of the Kingdom until after his death (1 Kings 11:1-13).

59. Sunset Darkness! From this time forward Solomon was vexed by Foes from without and within, and at last he sank into the grave dishonored by his Maker--proclaiming to all subsequent generations that the only safe way is strict and continued obedience to the appointments Of Heaven.