| 1 KINGS |
| Explanatory Footnotes - page 2 |
| years, occasionally falling into disrepair. Destroyed by Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar, it was partially rebuilt under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, and then reconstructed by King Herod in Jesus' day. Jesus walked in the temple on "Solomon's Porch." The early church met on the temple grounds: Peter preached there, and Ananias and Saphira probably died there (Acts 5). Currently the temple site is occupied by a Muslim mosque. 7:1 Prosperity under Solomon The magnificent temple and palace built by Solomon came to symbolize Israel's Golden Age. Solomon built many leading cities, assuming control of vital trade routes. He fortified Jerusalem, the capital, with a wall so thick that parts of it still stand. He modernized the Israelite army with 12, 000 horses and the first chariot brigades, and made shrewd alliances with neighboring countries. 8:11 Off-Limits for People Much of the temple stayed off-limits to the general public; only priests went in. Not even priests ventured into the Most Holy Place, except on very special occasions. Solomon had not intended the building for humans - he wanted a place suitable for God to dwell. And on the memorable day described her, the awesome glory of the Lord did indeed fill the temple. 8:27 Where God Dwells King Solomon was at his most eloquent in the great speech and prayer of chapter 8. He made it clear that the Lord of the universe could not fully dwell in a building. Nevertheless, God's presence, or his "Name" would indeed live there. For that reason, Solomon began the practice of praying toward Jerusalem, a practice still followed by many Jews today (8:29). 9:13 Good-for-Nothing Towns Solomon gave away part of God's promised land to a |
 |
 |