Topical Bible: Call: To Special Religious Duty: Solomon

◄ Call: To Special Religious Duty: Solomon ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba, is a prominent biblical figure known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, most notably the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. His call to special religious duty is intricately tied to his role as king of Israel and his divine commission to build the Temple, a central place of worship for the Israelites.

Divine Appointment and Wisdom

Solomon's call to special religious duty begins with his divine appointment as king. In 1 Kings 3:5, the Lord appears to Solomon in a dream at Gibeon, offering him anything he desires. Solomon famously requests wisdom to govern the people effectively: "So give Your servant a discerning heart to judge Your people and to distinguish between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?" (1 Kings 3:9). Pleased with Solomon's request, God grants him unparalleled wisdom, as well as wealth and honor (1 Kings 3:12-13).

Construction of the Temple

One of Solomon's most significant religious duties was the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, a task that his father David had desired but was not permitted to complete. In 1 Chronicles 28:6, God declares to David, "Solomon your son is the one who will build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his father" . Solomon's role in building the Temple is a fulfillment of this divine promise and a central aspect of his religious duty.

The construction of the Temple is detailed in 1 Kings 6-7 and 2 Chronicles 3-4. Solomon's dedication to this task is evident in the meticulous planning and execution of the project, which took seven years to complete. The Temple became the focal point of Israelite worship, housing the Ark of the Covenant and serving as the site for sacrifices and religious festivals.

Dedication of the Temple

Upon completion of the Temple, Solomon leads a grand dedication ceremony, as described in 1 Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 5-7. During this event, Solomon offers a prayer of dedication, acknowledging God's faithfulness and asking for His continued presence and blessing upon Israel: "May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that You will hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place" (1 Kings 8:29).

Solomon's prayer reflects his understanding of the Temple's significance as a place where God's name dwells and where the people can seek divine guidance and forgiveness. The dedication ceremony concludes with sacrifices and a festival, underscoring the Temple's role in the religious life of Israel.

Solomon's Legacy

Solomon's call to special religious duty is marked by his wisdom, the construction and dedication of the Temple, and his role in leading Israel during a time of peace and prosperity. Despite his later failings, including idolatry and turning away from God, Solomon's contributions to Israel's religious heritage remain significant. His reign is often seen as a high point in Israel's history, with the Temple serving as a lasting symbol of his dedication to God's service.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 28:6,10
And he said to me, Solomon your son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Covenanting a Duty.
... do proclaim it, does he not call upon them ... by his authority, no part of religious
duty is uninculcated ... and when faith is commanded without special reference to ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ...
... a trade was regarded as almost a religious duty - but from the ... might waken the
remembrance of the Angelic call, to great ... it is this story of special favour' or ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the annunciation of.htm

The Kingdom of God: Its Values
... Kingdom of God and his righteousness," and he obeyed his own call. ... For Special
Discussion. ... 2. Does the idea seem to offer a religious vehicle for conceptions ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter iv the kingdom of.htm

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the ...
... single individuals, who by a religious profession are ... their infirmity, stand in need
of special pacification, and ... we feel alarmed, and sighing call upon him. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 of the true.htm

The General Conference of 1836
... there is a call " a most imperious call " for all the ... your conduct in civil as well
as religious matters; and ... and the two first have been of special use in ...
/.../chapter 13 the general conference.htm

Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
... it enjoys at present: rather, there is a call on us ... former times, on account of that
increase of religious knowledge with ... too (as it was) with a special promise ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xviii stedfastness in the.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... of other deities, and in their duty to pay ... opens with a statement of his call by
the ... Obviously, the special religious value of the Old Testament literature ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

Tendencies of Religious Thought in England, 1688-1750.
... new Puritanism, which we may call Independency, was ... which, on their theory of religious
proof, their ... as usually conducted as replies to special objections urged ...
/.../tendencies of religious thought in.htm

In the House of his Heavenly, and in the Home of his Earthly ...
... their watchword was, negatively, to call no human ... there was really nothing of special
interest to ... the contrary, it was deemed a religious duty, frequently and ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x in the house.htm

The Fourth Commandment
... the work which had reference to a religious use might ... before you; and does not all
this call for serious ... a letter were read to one of special business, wherein ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 4 the fourth commandment.htm