Here are a few more graphics to help us consider the immense building project undertaken by King Solomon: Jerusalem at the time of Solomon, Solomon's Temple and Palace Complex, and Solomon's Temple.
This is my first journey through the life of Solomon, but I can already see hints of a great dichotomy. For example:
- it took 7 years to build God's house, and 13 years to build Solomon's house. Why did God tell us that in his Scriptures?
- in the text, the description of Solomon's house was inserted in the middle of the description of God's house? What is God telling us here? Was Solomon improperly consumed with his own house?
- if we look at this map, we can see the Mount of Corruption. This is where Solomon allowed his many foreign wives to build pagan shrines! What? How could the wisest of all men do this?
Sometimes, I think we are guilty of putting men like Solomon on far too high a pedestal. Certainly he was a man used of God, but yet his fallen nature is clear for all to see. Evidently, this wisest man among men, is about to display a great fall from God in the worship of other gods in the coming chapters.
What are we to learn from this?Perhaps we tend to disqualify ourselves from service to God because we think our sin too great. Yet, as we consider the lives of David, and Solomon, we are presented with great things accomplished for God right alongside great sin.
Puzzling, isn't it? Thoughts?
