The euphoric celebration surrounding the dedication of the temple suddenly hushed as King Solomon stood to speak to the people of Israel. It was the day after the 7-day celebration of Sukkot. For another seven days, the nation would celebrate the dedication of the temple.
It’s natural for Christians to project their own cultural experience into the context of Scripture. But, our concept of an hour-long formal church service followed by light refreshments—does not do justice to Solomon’s dedicatory celebration.
Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep…
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer . . . For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.
Perched on a rock formation called the Ophel at 150 to 200 feet above the valley floor, Israel’s new capital provided a strategic view of the surrounding valleys; it was highly defensible; and, it had critical access to fresh water.
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