Today, we begin 1st Kings, Chapter 7.
For the Complete Jewish Bible, click HERE.
For the King James Version, click HERE.
Chapter 7 is dedicated to describing the construction of Solomon’s palace complex.
I use the word “complex” because it consisted of multiple buildings.
Interestingly, the Book of Chronicles totally omits the construction of this palace.
So, where was it located exactly?
It was located near the temple, homie.
Probably south of the Temple, northward in a spot called the Ophel.
The Ophel is a famous archaeological and historical site in Jerusalem located on the southern slope of the Temple Mount.
It was situated between the City of David to the south and the Temple Mount platform to the north.
I visited the area when I traveled to Jerusalem a couple of years ago.
Apparently, Solomon wasn’t satisfied with his father’s original palace.
He wanted a huge resort, big enough not only to accommodate his growing family and multiple wives, but also to entertain other royal homies who visited him from neighboring countries.
Now, notice that right off the bat, we’re told it took 13 years to build this compound.
This means that in addition to the Temple construction, which took 7 years, Solomon spent another 13 years building his palace.
So we’re talking about 20 years in total.
That’s about halfway through his reign.
This doesn’t mean Solomon wasn’t living there while construction was underway.
I’m sure he moved in earlier and then just kept adding on more and more rooms and buildings to his quarters.
So what mind-blowing takeaway can we extract from this?
Actually, nothing amazing is really coming to me.
All I can remember is what Solomon wrote in his tome, Ecclesiastes, upon reflecting on the meaning of his life.
How he lamented that everything he set out to do…
And that all his accomplishments…
Were nothing but pure futility.
So I wonder, if looking back…
He regretted spending a good 13 years of his life building this monstrosity of a complex.
I find us human beings interesting creatures.
We fret and hustle to…
Build things…
Acquire things…
Accomplish things…
That from the light of eternity has about as much significance as the latest Ninja Turtle model.
If such a thing even exists.
Ya feel me?
I’ll leave you with that thought for today.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Whereas ye know not
what shall be on the morrow.
For what is your life?
It is even a vapour,
that appeareth for a little time,
and then vanisheth away.”
-James 4:14
Leave a Reply