Narrative Commentary ~ Sunday, 27 October 2013 ~ Lectionary Scriptures:

Narrative Commentary ~ Sunday, 27 October 2013 ~ Lectionary Scriptures:

1 Kings 5:1 Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the place of his father, and Hiram had always loved David. 2 Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, 3 “You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which were around him on every side, until the LORD put his enemies under the soles of his feet. 4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is no enemy and no evil occurrence. 5 Behold, I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spoke to David my father, saying, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place shall build the house for my name.’(Messianic WEB)

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1 Kings 8:1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, with all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers’ households of the children of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD’s covenant out of David’s city, which is Zion. 2 All the men of Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month. 3 All the elders of Israel came, and the priests picked up the ark. 4 They brought up the LORD’s ark, the Tent of Meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent. The priests and the Levites brought these up. 5 King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle, that could not be counted or numbered for multitude. 6 The priests brought in the ark of the LORD’s covenant to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the most holy place, even under the cherubim’s wings. 7 For the cherubim spread their wings out over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its poles above. 8 The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the holy place before the inner sanctuary; but they were not seen outside. They are there to this day. 9 There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets 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. 10 It came to pass, when the priests had come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the LORD’s house, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the LORD’s glory filled the LORD’s house. 12 Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. 13 I have surely built you a house of habitation, a place for you to dwell in forever.”(Messianic WEB)

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Gospel: John 2:19 Yeshua answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

20 The Judeans therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he spoke of the temple of his body.(Messianic WEB)

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Commentary on 1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:1-13 by Stephen Reid

Any prominent public space needs a rationale and a dedication.

1 Kings 5:1-5 and 8:1-13 provide both of these for the Temple. The distillation of 1 Kings 5-8 begins with the pledge to build the temple (1 Kings: 5:3-5) and ends with the statement of conclusion. (8:12-13)

Chapters 5 and 8 are embedded in the Solomon materials in Kings (1 Kings 2-11). The temple material is the heart of the Solomon story. Most of the depiction of Solomon in popular culture focuses on wisdom and wealth, but the authors and editors of Kings give the pride of place and the most words to his role as the builder of the temple.

The writers of the books of Kings may have been ambivalent about Solomon. He married outside of the Hebrew community (exogamy). He is accused of putting persons in the northern regions of his rule into forced labor (1 Kings 5:13-14). The writer/editor has little interest in the building of the palace except to make the case that Solomon spent more time on that than he did on the building of the temple (1 Kings 6:39-7:1). These indictments serve as an expression of the ambivalence toward Solomon.

The ambivalence toward Solomon in no way rubbed off on the Temple. 1 Kings 5 begins with Hiram, the king of Tyre. Hiram sends his servants to Solomon when he heard that Solomon had been anointed king. Hiram’s act of solidarity arose out of Hiram’s love for David. Hiram sent messengers to David. Hiram was king of major sea ports in antiquity. Tyre and Sidon were cities associated with the culture of the Phoenicians. An alliance between Solomon and Hiram indicates a cosmopolitan Solomon. However, remember that while cosmopolitanism is a virtue today, it was one of the ambivalent elements of Solomon’s legacy at that time.

Solomon’s response to Hiram explains why his father David did not build a temple. The military threats to David prevented him from building a temple. In other words, this speech by Solomon is a short apology for David. Solomon went on to comment that God intervened to bring peace to David. More importantly, God allowed Solomon to begin his reign in a peaceful situation, which allowed him to build a temple. This is the context in which Solomon promises to build a temple.

The emphasis on God as the star of story is clear in chapter 8, where we get the "great reveal" of the new building. The material in 1 Kings 8 describes the liturgical installation similar to 2 Samuel 6:1-15. It is also a covenant renewal like those in Joshua 24 and Nehemiah 8. The installation and covenant renewal require a coalition central to the establishment of an effective reign. Solomon assembles the key constituents: elders, heads of the tribes, and leaders of the ancestral house.

Chapter 8 describes the installation of the artifacts of past worship, namely the Ark, the tent of meeting, and all the vessels. David brought the Ark to the City of David, which is Zion; now it finds a new home, along with the Tent of Meeting and all the vessels: the new home is the Temple.

The Temple differs from the places of the covenant renewals of Shechem and Nehemiah at the Water Gate. The Temple is about sacrifice. The writer ensconced sacrifice between the movements of the Ark (see verses 4 and 6). King Solomon and the community sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted (see verse 5). The writer does not tell us about the type of sacrifice. The careful reader may wonder what contemporary analogies exist for the sacrifice in today’s liturgical spaces.

Verse 6 outlines the placement of the Ark in the Temple complex. The Ark is tucked away. The writer returns to a three-beat rhythm: the inner sanctuary, the holy of holies, and under the wings of the cherubim. The inner sanctuary is also known as the holy of holies (1 Kings 6:5, 16). The assumption in the building of the Temple was the transition from the everyday to the sacred as concentric rings. The inner sanctuary, holy of holies, and wings of the cherubim were the final ring of the sacred space.

The cherubim (see 1 Kings 6:23-28) locate the Jerusalem Temple in the iconographic context of the ancient Near East. The Hebrew term cherub has parallels in Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian artwork. They seem to have been winged protective deities who were often in pairs at the opening of a sacred space. Often they are depicted as a hybrid: a king’s head, lion’s body, and eagle’s wings.

The Ark was a point of contact to the giving of the Law. The writer points out that only the stone tablets given to Moses were in the Ark. The giving of the Law is preceded by a theophany. Likewise, 1 Kings 8:10 contains a cloud theophany. It was as if the pillar of cloud (Exodus 13:21 and forward; Exodus 14:19-24; Exodus 33:9 and forward; Numbers 12:5; Numbers 14:14; Deuteronomy 31:15) that directed them through the Wilderness had now taken up residence in the holy of holies in the Temple.

The final speech (1 Kings 8:12-13) observes that the presence of God is in the midst of thick darkness. The writer of Job will interpret this as a metaphor for inaccessibility (see Job 22:13; 38:9). The passage begins with Solomon's statement of his intention to build the Temple (1 Kings 5:5). It closes with his statement that he has in fact built the Temple, a long term place for God to reside.

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PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Mighty Lord,
The splendor of Solomon’s temple cannot compare to the majesty of your heart. Show your heart in this place, that we might worship you with joy and gratitude. Amen.

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HYMNS:

“Built on a rock” (Ni­ko­lai F. S. Grundt­vig, in Sang-Vaerk til den Danske Kirk, 1837 (Kirk­en Den Er Gam­melt Hus); trans­lat­ed from Da­nish to Eng­lish by Carl Døv­ing, 1909, and Fred C. M. Han­sen, 1958.)

1. Built on the Rock the church doth stand,
Even when steeples are falling;
Crumbled have spires in every land,
Bells still are chiming and calling;
Calling the young and old to rest,
But above all the soul distressed,
Longing for rest everlasting.

2. Surely in temples made with hands,
God, the Most High, is not dwelling;
High above earth His temple stands,
All earthly temples excelling;
Yet He whom heavens cannot contain
Chose to abide on earth with men,
Built in our bodies His temple.

3. We are God’s house of living stones,
Builded for His habitation;
He through baptismal grace us owns,
Heirs of His wondrous salvation;
Were we but two His Name to tell,
Yet He would deign with us to dwell,
With all His grace and His favor.

4. Now we may gather with our King;
Even in the lowliest dwelling:
Praises to Him we there may bring,
His wondrous mercy foretelling;
Jesus His grace to us accords,
Spirit and life are all His words,
His truth doth hallow the temple.

5. Still we our earthly temples rear,
That we may herald His praises;
They are the homes where He draws near
And little children embraces,
Beautiful things in them are said,
God there with us His covenant made,
Making us heirs of His Kingdom.

6. Here stands the font before our eyes
Telling how God did receive us;
The altar recalls Christ’s sacrifice
And what His table doth give us;
Here sounds the Word that doth proclaim
Christ yesterday, today, the same,
Yea, and for aye our Redeemer.

7. Grant then, O God, wherever men roam,
That, when the church bells are ringing,
Many in saving faith may come
Where Christ His message is bringing:
“I know Mine own, Mine own know Me;
Ye, not the world, My face shall see.
My peace I leave with you.”
~~~

“A mighty fortress” (Martin Luther Trans. by Frederick H. Hedge)

1. A mighty fortress is our God, 

a bulwark never failing; 

our helper he amid the flood 

of mortal ills prevaling.  

For still our ancient foe 

doth seek to work us woe; 

his craft and power are great, 

and armed with cruel hate, 

on earth is not his equal.

2. Did we in our own strength confide, 

our striving would be losing, 

were not the right man on our side, 

the man of God's own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?  

Christ Jesus, it is he; 

Lord Sabaoth, his name, 

from age to age the same, 

and he must win the battle.

3. And though this world, with devils filled, 

should threaten to undo us, 

we will not fear, for God hath willed 

his truth to triumph through us.  

The Prince of Darkness grim, 

we tremble not for him; 

his rage we can endure, 

for lo, his doom is sure; 

one little word shall fell him.

4. That word above all earthly powers, 

no thanks to them, abideth; 

the Spirit and the gifts are ours, 

thru him who with us sideth.  

Let goods and kindred go, 

this mortal life also; 

the body they may kill; 

God's truth abideth still; 

his kingdom is forever.

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“Open your ears, O faithful people” (Willard Francis Jabusch)

!. Open your ears, O faithful people,
open your ears and hear God's word.
Open your hearts, O royal priesthood,
God has come to you.

2. God has spoken to the people, Hallelujah!
God has spoken words of wisdom, Hallelujah!
God has spoken to the people, Hallelujah!
God has spoken words of wisdom, Hallelujah!

3. They who have ears to hear this message,
they who have ears, then let them hear.
They who would learn the way of wisdom,
let them hear Gods word.

4. God has spoken to the people, Hallelujah!
God has spoken words of wisdom, Hallelujah!
God has spoken to the people, Hallelujah!
God has spoken words of wisdom, Hallelujah!

5. Israel comes to greet the Savior,
Judah is glad to see his day.
From east and west the peoples travel,
he will show the way.

5. God has spoken to the people, Hallelujah!
God has spoken words of wisdom, Hallelujah!
God has spoken to the people, Hallelujah!
God has spoken words of wisdom, Hallelujah!

6. Open your ears, O faithful people,
open your ears and hear God's word.
Open your hearts, O royal priesthood,
God has come to you.

~~~

CHORAL:

“God’s Son has made me free” (Edvard Grieg)(Hans Adolf Brorson (1694-1764))

1. God's son has made me free 

from Satan's tyranny, 

from sin and shame, from earthly blame, 

from death's domain and hellish flame. 

My Savior, it was he 

who stood 'twixt God and me, 

who pardon gave to sin's poor slave 

by painful death and grave. 

Thus was his love bestowed on me 

and all mankind eternally. 

The fate I await 

is not the sinful state 

where nought there is to pleasure me 

save fruit from Eden's apple tree, 

and mouth and hand 

cannot withstand 

the Devil's vile command. 

2. Now God is by my side, 

the serpent is defied! 

I'll ne'er take fright whilst in his sight 

in freedom's purple raiment bright. 

It makes my heart rejoice 

to answer Jesu's voice, 

His path is clear, no sorrow's here - 

it leads to heav'nly cheer! 

The world of sin I now remind 

that ne'er to truth shall I be blind. 

Nay, nay! God's way, 

no more from it I'll stray! 

No more shall I now tempted be 

to try the devil's lottery! 

My trump I'll raise in heav'nly praise; 

farewell to earthly days! 

3. Now God is by my side. 

With laughter bold, my heart with laughter bold 

the grave can now behold. 

No flow'ry combe, no princely room 

gives sweeter rest than stony tomb. 

Kind Death will ferry me 

across oblivion's sea; 

Thus God above to me will prove 

his everlasting love. 

He'll make to blow his cleansing winds 

to purge my blood of all its sins. 

This cure makes sure 

my being shall be pure, 

so, happy as the hind and roe, 

I'll cease to suffer earthly woe. 

Yea, I am thine, the Cross my sign, 

Salvation shall be mine! 

God's son has made me free! 

~~~

John Wesley’s Notes & Commentary:

1 Kings 5:1-5

V Hiram congratulates Solomon on his accession, and agrees to furnish him with workmen and timber for the temple, ver. 1-9. The work is well done, and the workmen paid, ver. 10-18.

1 Kings 8:1-13

VIII The chief men of Israel called together, ver. 1, 2. The ark fixt in the most holy place, ver. 3-9. God takes possession of it by a cloud, ver. 10-12. Solomon tells the people the occasion of their meeting, ver. 13-21. The prayer of dedication, ver. 22-53. He dismisses the assembly with a blessing and an exhortation, ver. 54-61. Offers abundance of sacrifices, ver. 62-66.

Verse 1. Elders - The senators, and Judges, and rulers. Heads - For each tribe had a peculiar governor. Chief - The chief persons of every great family in each tribe. Jerusalem - Where the temple was built. Bring the ark - To the top of Moriah, upon which it was built; whither they were now to carry the ark in solemn pomp. City of David - Where David had placed the ark, which is called Zion, because it was built upon that hill.

Verse 2. All Israel - Not only the chief men, but a vast number of the common people. The feast - The feast of the dedication, to which Solomon had invited them. Seventh month - Which time he chose with respect to his peoples convenience, because now they had gathered in all their fruits, and were come up to Jerusalem, to celebrate the feast of tabernacles. But the temple was not finished till the eighth month, chap. vi, 38, how then could he invite them in the seventh month? This was the seventh month of the next year. For although the house in all its parts was finished the year before, yet the utensils of it were not then fully finished: and many preparations were to be made for this great and extraordinary occasion.

Verse 3. The priests - For although the Levites might do this, Num. iv, 15, yet the priests did it at this time, for the greater honour of the solemnity; and because the Levites might not enter into the holy- place, much less into the holy of holies, where it was to be placed, into which the priests themselves might not have entered, if the high-priest alone could have done it.

Verse 4. The tabernacle - That made by Moses, which doubtless before this time had been translated from Gibeon to Zion, and now together with other things, was put into the treasuries of the Lord's house, to prevent all superstitious use of it, and to oblige the people to come up to Jerusalem, as the only place where God would now be worshipped.

Verse 5. Sacrificing - When the ark was seated in its place: for although they might in the way offer some sacrifices, as David did; yet that was not a proper season to offer so many sacrifices as could not be numbered. This is more particularly related below, ver. 62, 63, 64, which is here signified by way of anticipation.

Verse 6. Cherubim - Of Solomon's new made cherubim, not of the Mosaic cherubim, which were far less, and unmovably fixed to the ark, Exod. xxxvii, 7, 8, and therefore together with the ark, were put under the wings of these cherubim.

Verse 8. Drew out - Not wholly, which was expressly forbidden, Exod. xxv, 15, Num. iv, 6, but in part. Seen out - In the most holy place, which is oft called by way of eminency, the holy place, and the Hebrew words rendered before the oracle, may be as well rendered, within the oracle. And these staves were left in this posture, that the high-priest might hereby be certainly guided to that very place where he, was one day in a year to sprinkle blood, and to offer incense before the ark, which otherwise he might mistake in that dark place, where the ark was wholly covered with the wings of the great cherubim, which stood between him and the ark when he entered in.

Verse 9. Nothing - Strictly and properly: but in a more large sense, the pot of manna, and Aaron's rod were also in it, Heb. ix, 4, that is, by it, in the most holy place, before the ark of the testimony, where God commanded Moses to put them.

Verse 10. The cloud - The usual token of God's glorious presence. Filled - In testimony of his gracious acceptance of this work, and their service; and to beget an awe and reverence in them, and in all others, when they approach to God.

Verse 12. Then spake - Perceiving both priests and people struck with wonder at this darkness, he minds them, that this was no sign of God's disfavour, as some might possibly imagine; but a token of his approbation, and special presence among them. Said - He hath declared, that he would manifest his presence with, and dwelling among his people, by a dark cloud, in which he would appear.

Gospel: John 2:19-21

Verse 19. This temple - Doubtless pointing, while he spoke, to his body, the temple and habitation of the Godhead.

Verse 20. Forty and six years - Just so many years before the time of this conversation, Herod the Great had begun his most magnificent reparation of the temple, (one part after another, ) which he continued all his life, and which was now going on, and was continued thirty-six years longer, till within six or seven years of the destruction of the state, city, and temple by the Romans.

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