Topical Bible: Temple: Solomon's: Purified by Hezekiah

◄ Temple: Solomon's: Purified by Hezekiah ►

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The Temple of Solomon, a central place of worship for the Israelites, was constructed under the reign of King Solomon and served as the dwelling place of the Lord's presence among His people. Over time, however, the Temple fell into disrepair and was defiled by idolatrous practices, particularly during the reigns of certain kings who turned away from the worship of Yahweh.

The purification of Solomon's Temple by King Hezekiah marks a significant moment of religious reform and renewal in the history of Judah. Hezekiah, who reigned from approximately 715 to 686 BC, was a king noted for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to restore proper worship among the Israelites.

Hezekiah's Reforms

Upon ascending to the throne, Hezekiah recognized the spiritual decay that had permeated the nation under his predecessors, particularly his father, King Ahaz. Ahaz had introduced idolatrous practices and even closed the doors of the Temple, leading to a period of spiritual neglect and apostasy (2 Chronicles 28:24).

Hezekiah's response was immediate and decisive. In the first year of his reign, he reopened the doors of the Temple and initiated a comprehensive program of purification and restoration. Hezekiah's reforms are detailed in 2 Chronicles 29, where he called upon the Levites and priests to consecrate themselves and the Temple. Hezekiah declared, "Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel, so that His fierce anger will turn away from us" (2 Chronicles 29:10).

Purification Process

The purification process began with the sanctification of the priests and Levites, who were tasked with removing all defilement from the Temple. The Levites carried out the cleansing over a period of sixteen days, during which they removed all the unclean items that had accumulated during the years of neglect and idolatry (2 Chronicles 29:15-17).

Hezekiah's commitment to restoring the Temple was not merely a physical cleansing but also a spiritual renewal. He reinstituted the proper worship practices, including the offering of sacrifices and the observance of the Passover, which had been neglected for many years. The king commanded that burnt offerings and sin offerings be made for all Israel, symbolizing the nation's repentance and return to the covenant with God (2 Chronicles 29:20-24).

Restoration of Worship

With the Temple purified, Hezekiah restored the Levitical order and reestablished the musical worship led by the Levites, as prescribed by King David. The people of Judah responded with joy and enthusiasm, participating in the worship and offerings with a renewed sense of devotion (2 Chronicles 29:25-30).

Hezekiah's reforms extended beyond the Temple itself, as he sought to unify the people of Judah and Israel in the worship of Yahweh. He sent letters throughout the land, inviting all Israelites to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. This invitation was a call to national repentance and unity under the worship of the one true God (2 Chronicles 30:1-9).

Impact and Legacy

The purification of Solomon's Temple by Hezekiah had a profound impact on the spiritual life of Judah. It marked a return to the covenantal faithfulness that God had desired from His people. The reforms initiated by Hezekiah set a precedent for future kings and demonstrated the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the Temple as the center of worship and the symbol of God's presence among His people.

Hezekiah's actions were a testament to his devotion to God and his desire to lead the nation in righteousness. His reign is remembered as a time of spiritual revival and renewal, highlighting the significance of the Temple as a place of worship and the need for continual purification and dedication to the Lord.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 29:15-19
And they gathered their brothers, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The New Temple and Its Worship
... offerings were poor, if compared with Solomon's 'two and ... The re-establishment of
the Temple worship with ... the priests and Levites were purified together.' The ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the new temple and its.htm

Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
... not of composition, between the ages of Solomon and Hezekiah ... old time and means of
grace now; temple, Scripture, finger ... held that the heart was purified by faith ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/bunsens biblical researches.htm

Questions.
... What became of the treasures of the Temple? 30. ... 4. But how had Solomon shown that
too few would really honour the Lord ... How was the English Church purified? 16. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Paul's Departure and Crown;
... be with Christ'; when his course of temple and relative ... God was cleansed, and by
such means purified in these ... Wherefore Solomon also doth press us to this very ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/pauls departure and crown.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... Truly the light is good (saith Solomon) and a pleasant thing it is for the eye ... and
that he could have descended from the pinnacle of the temple, as afterwards ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm