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Tag: I Kings

Jachin and Boaz

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in 1 Kings, What’s new?.

What are Jachin and Boaz?

Jachin and Boaz are the names of two bronze pillars erected at the entrance to the vestibule of Solomon’s temple, according to 1 Kings 7:21. Construction of the temple in Jerusalem began in 966 BC and was finished seven years later. The story of the building of the temple is found in 1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles 3.

In order to have the best possible fittings for the temple, Solomon hired a man named Hiram (or Huram) from Tyre to do the bronze work. Hiram was known for his wisdom, understanding, and skill in bronze working (1 Kings 7:13–14). Scripture gives much detail concerning the pillars Jachin and Boaz: “A network of interwoven chains adorned the capitals on top of the pillars, seven for each capital. [Hiram] made pomegranates in two rows encircling each network to decorate the capitals on top of the pillars. He did the same for each capital. The capitals on top of the pillars in the portico were in the shape of lilies . . . . On the capitals of both pillars, above the bowl-shaped part next to the network, were the two hundred pomegranates in rows all around” (verses 17–20).

Jachin and Boaz stood at the entrance to the temple’s vestibule or portico. Their dimensions indicate the extent of the work involved in creating them. Including the decorative tops of the pillars, Jachin and Boaz stood approximately thirty-five feet tall, with a circumference of eighteen feet (1 Kings 7:15–20). The brass used to make the twin pillars had been taken by King David from the king of Zobah as part of the spoils of war (1 Chronicles 18:8–9).

The pillar on the south of the entrance which was called Jachin, and one on the north named Boaz. Both 2 Chronicles and 1 Kings say that “he” set up the pillars and “he” named them Jachin and Boaz. Commentators are divided as to whether “he” refers to Hiram or Solomon. Whoever named them, their names are significant. Jachin (pronounced yaw-keen) means “he will establish,” and Boaz signifies “in him is strength.” Taken together, the names were a reminder that God would establish the temple and the worship of His name in strength.

The pillars Jachin and Boaz were destroyed along with the rest of the temple by the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 52:17), but the names’ meaning lives on in the spiritual kingdom of God. The names of the pillars represent the strength and stability of God’s promises of a kingdom that will last forever (Daniel 6:26; Luke 1:33; Hebrews 1:8; Revelation 11:15).

Dedication of Solomon’s temple

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in 1 Kings, What’s new?.

What happened at the dedication of Solomon’s temple?

Solomon’s father, David, initially conceived the idea of building a temple in God’s honor. While God acknowledged David’s good intentions, He assigned the work to King Solomon (2 Samuel 7:1–13). The switch was due to David’s history as a warrior and his involvement in bloodshed (2 Chronicles 22:6–9). Solomon’s reign was a peaceful one, the ideal time to build a temple.

Solomon accomplished the task. With the help of King Hiram of Tyre, he constructed a magnificent temple and palace (1 Kings 6—7). Following the completion of the construction, he stored his father’s dedicated treasures to the temple (1 Kings 7:51). Then he dedicated the temple itself, and the following events unfolded:

A Huge Sacrifice

Before the priests brought the ark into the temple, King Solomon and the entire community made a huge sacrifice, such that the sheep and cattle “could not be recorded or counted” (1 Kings 8:5). Everything on this day was done on a grand scale to celebrate the joy of God’s house being completed and God’s people dwelling in safety in God’s land.

Bringing in the Ark of the Covenant

The ark was previously kept in the tabernacle. After Solomon built the temple, the priests, elders, and tribal leaders accompanied the ark and other valuables into the temple (1 Kings 8:1).

The ark of the covenant symbolized God’s presence, making this event in the dedication of the temple as of great significance. Without the ark, the temple would have been merely a gigantic building. The priests placed the ark in the Most Holy Place (1 Kings 8:6), where the people were not likely to ever see it again.

A Heavy Cloud

As the priests exited the Holy Place, a dense cloud filled the entire temple This cloud served as a physical manifestation of the Lord’s presence and His acceptance of the temple Solomon had built. It was so thick that it impeded the priests’ service (1 Kings 8:10–11).

Recognizing the cloud as a manifestation of the Lord’s presence, Solomon proclaimed, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever” (1 Kings 8:12–13).

Blessings and Prayers and Fire

The next portion of the event was the benediction and prayers offered by Solomon. His prayer commenced with praises, acknowledging that it was God who kept His promise by ensuring the completion of the temple (1 Kings 8:15–21, 23–24). Solomon also made supplications for the people and blessed them (1 Kings 8:14, 30–53, 55–61).

At the end of King Solomon’s prayer, something marvelous happened: “When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple” (1 Chronicles 7:1). This event was reminiscent of the dedication of the tabernacle under Moses: “Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown” (Leviticus 9:24). Similarly, in Solomon’s day, “when all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, ‘He is good; his love endures forever’” (verse 3).

The Dedication Proper

King Solomon, along with the entire people of Israel, offered additional sacrifices to dedicate the temple. In accordance with his practice of generous offerings, Solomon presented “22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats” (1 Kings 6:63). The altar, as large as it was, was far too small to handle all the sacrifices, so, “on that same day the king consecrated the middle part of the courtyard in front of the temple of the Lord, and there he offered burnt offerings, grain offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar that stood before the Lord was too small to hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings” (verse 64).

Subsequently, the Israelites celebrated the Feast of Booths for seven days, with the entire dedication event lasting fourteen days. After that, Solomon sent everyone home, and “they blessed the king and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the Lord had done for his servant David and his people Israel” (1 Kings 8:66).

God’s Response

Following the festival and dedication of the temple, God responded to Solomon’s prayer with an affirmative statement: “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there” (1 Kings 9:3).

However, God then presented a conditional promise similar to the conditions outlined in the law (see Deuteronomy 28). He said, “As for you, if you walk before me faithfully with integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did. . . . I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever. . . . But if you or your descendants turn away from me . . . then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name” (1 Kings 9:4–7). Tragically, the latter happened.