January 30, 2003
The temple being built and furnished for God, we have here,
I. Possession given to him, by bringing in the dedicated things (#2Ch 5:1), but especially the ark, the token of his presence, #2Ch 5:2-10.
II. Possession taken by him, in a cloud, #2Ch 5:11-14. For if any man open the door of his heart to God he will come in, #Re 3:20. (MH)
The words with which chapter five begins are the same with #1Ki 7:51, and what is contained in that and chapter six is much the same with #1Ki 8:1-66 on which see the notes; the blessing of Solomon on the people of Israel, which is there, is here omitted, and two verses are here added, much the same with #Ps 132:8-10. (Gill)
V. 1, Solomon brought all the things his father had dedicated for the temple, which was a quite large sum. See 1 Chronicles 22:14, 26:26.
22:14 Now, behold, in my {g} trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a million talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.
The word trouble here means affliction, misery, poverty. In other words, David made himself poor for so that he could lay up the riches he felt God deserved in building the house of the Lord. Even with all he laid up, he expected his son to add to it.
I don't really believe David lived in poverty as we might think of a poor third world country, but he lived in far less splendor than other Oriental kings lived, particularly less "rich" than Solomon.
But notice the comparison with many well known preachers today, who live in glorious worldly splendor. See my notes in 1 Chronicles 22.
We might also notice that Solomon used the wealth as his dad intended. Though parents may lay up wealth to be used in a godly manner, more than a few children have misspent that wealth on the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and the pride of life.
Christ made Himself poor that we might be rich in Him.
V. 2, Solomon made preparation to move the ark properly, unlike his father's first attempt at moving the ark. He gathered all the men of importance from throughout the land.
V. 3, all the men of Israel assembled on that special day. Did they have a feast or was it on a feast day? Regardless, the day included a feast; it was a day of happiness, joy and rejoicing. Service to the Lord should be great joy and gladness.
The unity of the nation was a religious unity, along with a family unity. However, a religious unity is much stronger than a family unity, as we are seeing with the Muslims. America was founded in religious unity, but the enemy has worked and is working hard to destroy that unity. And he has succeeded as our nation now fragments into small individual groups. If it keeps going, there will be sections break away as did the old Soviet Union.
V. 4, all of the men of importance came to this important event of moving the ark.
V. 5, not only was the ark brought to the new temple, but so was all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle. The old things were not cast away, nor melted down to be used to make new. It does not hurt to keep the "monuments of antiquity" with us to remind of the goodness and greatness of our God.
V. 6, praise and thankfulness to God will result in great sacrifice. It consists of more than just being present at the "ceremony". "If God favour us with his presence, we must honour him with our services, the best we have." (MH)
V. 7, the Lord has His proper place. His place today is in the believer, and our job, and especially the job of the religious leaders, is to establish Him there, either in our own hearts or in the hearts of others.
Vv. 8-10, give a short description of the ark and its resting place.
The Rod and Manna are now missing. How quick we are to forget the grace, power and mercy of God. However, the everlasting law of the covenant remained.
V. 12, white linen reminded them of the integrity required of them. The full choir was assembled at the east end of the altar. This was not in front of the congregation, nor in front of the elders. It was in front of the Lord, and done for His praise alone.
V. 13, when they became as one, then God came in power. This reminds us of the requirement to be one in the Lord, making one sound, and that is doing all things to the glory of God.
V. 14, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. So that the priests could not stand..., showing that the Levitical ministry could not continue after the Lord Christ came. (Trapp, OLB) Every time I read about Solomon's temple and Herod's temple, I am struck at how short of a time these temples stood. It shows that though it is good to serve Got with our worldly wealth, that wealth means nothing to Him. All it does is show who rules in our hearts.