Stroll through Scripture for October 27, 2024

Based on 1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:27-30, 41-43

Last week, we heard David wanting to build a house for the Lord, and the Lord instead making a house of David.  David wasn’t allowed to build the temple.  God promised that his offspring would do the construction project instead. 

And this week we hear about Solomon.  The first paragraph of our reading tells us of Solomon’s intention to build the temple.  In doing so, he will fulfill the promise God makes in 2 Samuel 7 that we heard last week.  

The second and third paragraphs of the reading take place after the temple is completed and dedicated.  We skip over the building process. 

What is most interesting about this passage is the focus on foreigners and their relationship to the temple.  In the beginning, we hear about King Hiram of Tyre who sends an envoy to Solomon.  It’s a trade and diplomatic mission between kings and nations.  Hiram wants to ensure that Solomon will continue with David’s friendly relationship with his kingdom.  Solomon has every intention of keeping it peaceful.  He needs the tall cedars of Lebanon for the temple and there are only two ways to obtain them:  through war or through trade.  Solomon isn’t interested in another war at this point, so he’ll offer to buy the wood from Hiram for whatever Hiram wants to charge.  

After the dedication, the Lectionary has selected Solomon talking about foreigners who come to the temple to worship.  Here we hear about Solomon hoping the temple will be a destination for people to travel to from across the lands.  He wants people to come, to pray, and for God to answer the prayers of foreigners.  

In both cases, foreigners are needed for the temple – either for supplies to make the temple, or for worshippers to come to Jerusalem (bringing their money with them of course).  There is a tension between inward and outward focus.  That tension continues to this day in churches.  

Questions for Reflection:

• What makes a nation/people/community?  Is it that everyone thinks/looks/prayers the same or that they are united by a set of beliefs and values that they strive to live into to?  
• How do we need others in our life in order to live the mission Jesus has for us?