◄ 1 Kings 7:48 ►
Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of the LORD: the golden altar; the golden table on which was placed the Bread of the Presence;
Study Bible
Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of the LORD:
This phrase highlights Solomon's role in completing the temple, a task initiated by his father, David. The temple was central to Israelite worship, symbolizing God's presence among His people. Solomon's involvement underscores his wisdom and dedication to fulfilling God's promises to David (2 Samuel 7:12-13). The temple's furnishings were crafted with precision, reflecting the divine instructions given to Moses for the tabernacle (Exodus 25-27), indicating continuity in worship practices.

the golden altar:
The golden altar, also known as the altar of incense, was placed in the Holy Place before the veil separating it from the Most Holy Place. It was used for burning incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4). The use of gold signifies purity and divinity, aligning with the temple's purpose as a holy dwelling for God. This altar connects to the tabernacle's design (Exodus 30:1-10) and foreshadows Christ's intercessory role (Hebrews 7:25).

the golden table on which was placed the Bread of the Presence:
The golden table, or the Table of Showbread, held the Bread of the Presence, which consisted of twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes of Israel (Leviticus 24:5-9). This bread was a continual offering, signifying God's provision and covenant with His people. The table's gold construction emphasizes the sacredness of God's provision. The Bread of the Presence prefigures Jesus as the Bread of Life (John 6:35), highlighting the sustenance and life He offers to believers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The king of Israel who succeeded his father David. Known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

2. The House of the LORD
Refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship for the Israelites, symbolizing God's presence among His people.

3. The Golden Altar
An altar made of gold used for burning incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God.

4. The Golden Table
A table made of gold that held the Bread of the Presence, representing God's provision and covenant with Israel.

5. The Bread of the Presence
Also known as showbread, it was a continual offering before the LORD, signifying God's sustenance and fellowship with His people.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Worship
The detailed construction of the Temple and its furnishings highlights the importance of worship and reverence for God. Our worship should be intentional and reflective of God's holiness.

God's Provision and Presence
The Bread of the Presence symbolizes God's continual provision and presence. In our lives, we should recognize and rely on God's daily provision and presence.

Symbolism of the Altar
The golden altar for incense represents the prayers of the saints. We are encouraged to maintain a life of prayer, knowing that our prayers are precious to God.

Christ as Fulfillment
The Temple and its furnishings point to Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan for redemption and communion with His people.

Stewardship of Resources
Solomon used the finest materials for the Temple, reminding us to use our resources wisely and for God's glory.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the construction of the Temple and its furnishings reflect the character and priorities of Solomon as a leader?

2. In what ways does the Bread of the Presence in the Temple connect to Jesus' declaration of being the "bread of life"?

3. How can the symbolism of the golden altar and incense inform and enhance our personal prayer life today?

4. What lessons can we learn from Solomon's dedication to building the Temple that can be applied to our own dedication to God's work?

5. How does understanding the role of the Temple in the Old Testament enhance our appreciation of Christ's work as described in the New Testament?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 25-30
These chapters provide the original instructions given to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, which Solomon's Temple furnishings were based upon.

Hebrews 9
This chapter discusses the earthly sanctuary and its furnishings, drawing parallels to the heavenly sanctuary and the work of Christ.

Matthew 12:6
Jesus refers to Himself as greater than the Temple, indicating His role as the ultimate fulfillment of what the Temple represented.
Sermons
The LotusW. Balgarnie.
People
Boaz, David, Hiram, Huram, Jachin, Naphtali, Pharaoh, Solomon
Places
Hall of Judgment, Hall of Pillars, Hall of the Throne, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jordan River, Most Holy Place, Succoth, Tyre, Zarethan
Topics
Altar, Bread, Furnishings, Furniture, Gold, Golden, Holy, Lord's, Maketh, Pertained, Placed, Presence, Shewbread, Showbread, Show-bread, Solomon, Table, Temple, Vessels, Whereon, Whereupon
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 7:48

     5573   table

1 Kings 7:13-50

     4348   mining

1 Kings 7:48-50

     4303   metals
     5211   art

1 Kings 7:48-51

     4333   gold

Library
Gadara
There was a double Gadara. One at the shore of the Mediterranean sea: that was first called Gezer, 1 Kings 9:15. In Josephus, "Simon destroyed the city Gazara, and Joppe, and Jamnia."--And in the Book of the Maccabees, "And he fortified Joppe, which is on the sea, and Gazara, which is on the borders of Azotus." At length, according to the idiom of the Syrian dialect, Zain passed into Daleth; and instead of Gazara, it was called Gadara. Hence Strabo, after the mention of Jamnia, saith, "and there …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
BY REV. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D. The Temple of Solomon was the crown of art in the old world. There were temples on a larger scale, and of more massive construction, but the enormous masses of masonry of the oldest nations were not comparable with the artistic grace, the luxurious adornments, and the harmonious proportions of this glorious House of God. David had laid up money and material for the great work, but he was not permitted to carry it out. He was a man of war, and blood-stained hands were …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Whether any Preparation and Disposition for Grace is Required on Man's Part?
Objection 1: It would seem that no preparation or disposition for grace is required on man's part, since, as the Apostle says (Rom. 4:4), "To him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt." Now a man's preparation by free-will can only be through some operation. Hence it would do away with the notion of grace. Objection 2: Further, whoever is going on sinning, is not preparing himself to have grace. But to some who are going on sinning grace is given, as is …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Adam and Zaretan, Joshua 3
I suspect a double error in some maps, while they place these two towns in Perea; much more, while they place them at so little a distance. We do not deny, indeed, that the city Adam was in Perea; but Zaretan was not so. Of Adam is mention, Joshua 3:16; where discourse is had of the cutting-off, or cutting in two, the waters of Jordan, that they might afford a passage to Israel; The waters rose up upon a heap afar off in Adam. For the textual reading "In Adam," the marginal hath "From Adam." You …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

That the Ruler Should be a Near Neighbour to Every one in Compassion, and Exalted Above all in Contemplation.
The ruler should be a near neighbour to every one in sympathy, and exalted above all in contemplation, so that through the bowels of loving-kindness he may transfer the infirmities of others to himself, and by loftiness of speculation transcend even himself in his aspiration after the invisible; lest either in seeking high things he despise the weak things of his neighbours, or in suiting himself to the weak things of his neighbours he relinquish his aspiration after high things. For hence it is …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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