prophets and kings-第5章
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tructed during the early years of his reign； the energy； piety； justice； and magnanimity that he revealed in word and deed； won the loyalty of his subjects and the admiration and homage of the rulers of many lands。
The name of Jehovah was greatly honored during the first part of Solomon's reign。 The wisdom and righteousness revealed by the king bore witness to all nations of the excellency of the attributes of the God whom he served。 For a time Israel was as the light of the world； showing forth the greatness of Jehovah。 Not in the surpassing wisdom； the fabulous riches； the far…reaching power and fame that were
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his； lay the real glory of Solomon's early reign； but in the honor that he brought to the name of the God of Israel through a wise use of the gifts of Heaven。
As the years went by and Solomon's fame increased； he sought to honor God by adding to his mental and spiritual strength； and by continuing to impart to others the blessings he received。 None understood better than he that it was through the favor of Jehovah that he had come into possession of power and wisdom and understanding； and that these gifts were bestowed that he might give to the world a knowledge of the King of kings。
Solomon took an especial interest in natural history； but his researchers were not confined to any one branch of learning。 Through a diligent study of all created things； both animate and inanimate； he gained a clear conception of the Creator。 In the forces of nature； in the mineral and the animal world； and in every tree and shrub and flower； he saw a revelation of God's wisdom； and as he sought to learn more and more； his knowledge of God and his love for Him constantly increased。
Solomon's divinely inspired wisdom found expression in songs of praise and in many proverbs。 〃He spake three thousand proverbs： and his songs were a thousand and five。 And he spake of trees； from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall： he spake also of beasts； and of fowl； and of creeping things； and of fishes。〃 1 Kings 4：32； 33。
In the proverbs of Solomon are outlined principles of holy living and high endeavor； principles that are heaven…born and that lead to godliness； principles that should govern
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every act of life。 It was the wide dissemination of these principles； and the recognition of God as the One to whom all praise and honor belong； that made Solomon's early reign a time of moral uplift as well as of material prosperity。
〃Happy is the man that findeth wisdom；〃 he wrote； 〃and the man that getteth understanding。 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver； and the gain thereof than fine gold。 She is more precious than rubies： and all things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her。 Length of days is in her right hand； and in her left hand riches and honor。 Her ways are ways of pleasantness； and all her paths are peace。 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her： and happy is every one that retaineth her。〃 Proverbs 3：13…18。
〃Wisdom is the principal thing； therefore get wisdom： and with all thy getting get understanding。〃 Proverbs 4：7。 〃The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom。〃 Psalm 111：10。 〃The fear of the Lord is to hate evil： pride； and arrogancy； and the evil way； and the froward mouth； do I hate。〃 Proverbs 8：13。
O that in later years Solomon had heeded these wonderful words of wisdom！ O that he who had declared； 〃The lips of the wise disperse knowledge〃 （Proverbs 15：17）； and who had himself taught the kings of the earth to render to the King of kings the praise they desired to give to an earthly ruler； had never with a 〃froward mouth；〃 in 〃pride and arrogancy；〃 taken to himself the glory due to God alone！
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Chapter 2
The Temple and Its Dedication
The long…cherished plan of David to erect a temple to the Lord； Solomon wisely carried out。 For seven years Jerusalem was filled with busy workers engaged in leveling the chosen site； in building vast retaining walls； in laying broad foundations；〃great stones； costly stones； and hewed stones；〃in shaping the heavy timbers brought from the Lebanon forests； and in erecting the magnificent sanctuary。 1 Kings 5：17。
Simultaneously with the preparation of wood and stone； to which task many thousands were bending their energies； the manufacture of the furnishings for the temple was steadily progressing under the leadership of Hiram of Tyre； 〃a cunning man； endued with understanding； 。 。 。 skillful to work in gold； and in silver； in brass； in iron； in stone； and in timber； in purple； in blue； and in fine linen； and in crimson。〃 2 Chronicles 2：13； 14。
Thus as the building on Mount Moriah was noiselessly
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upreared with 〃stone made ready before it was brought thither： so that there was neither hammer nor ax nor any tool of iron heard in the house； while it was in building；〃 the beautiful fittings were perfected according to the patterns committed by David to his son； 〃all the vessels that were for the house of God。〃 1 King 6：7；2 Chronicles 4：19。 These included the altar of incense； the table of shewbread； the candlestick and lamps； with the vessels and instruments connected with the ministrations of the priests in the holy place； all 〃of gold； and that perfect gold。〃 2 Chronicles 4：21。 The brazen furniture；the altar of burnt offering； the great laver supported by twelve oxen； the lavers of smaller size； with many other vessels；〃in the plain of Jordan did the king cast them； in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah。〃 2 Chronicles 4：17。 These furnishings were provided in abundance； that there should be no lack。
Of surpassing beauty and unrivaled splendor was the palatial building which Solomon and his associates erected for God and His worship。 Garnished with precious stones； surrounded by spacious courts with magnificent approaches； and lined with carved cedar and burnished gold； the temple structure； with its broidered hangings and rich furnishings； was a fit emblem of the living church of God on earth； which through the ages has been building in accordance with the divine pattern； with materials that have been likened to 〃gold； silver； precious stones；〃 〃polished after the similitude of a palace。〃 1 Corinthians 3：12； Psalm 144：12。 Of this spiritual temple Christ is 〃the chief Cornerstone； in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord。〃 Ephesians 2：20； 21。
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At last the temple planned by King David； and built by Solomon his son； was completed。 〃All that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the Lord；〃 he had 〃prosperously effected。〃 2 Chronicles 7：11。 And now； in order that the palace crowning the heights of Mount Moriah might indeed be； as David had so much desired； a dwelling place 〃not for man； but for the Lord God〃 （1 Chronicles 29：1）； there remained the solemn ceremony of formally dedicating it to Jehovah and His worship。
The spot on which the temple was built had long been regarded as a consecrated place。 It was here that Abraham； the father of the faithful； had revealed his willingness to sacrifice his only son in obedience to the command of Jehovah。 Here God had renewed with Abraham the covenant of blessing； which included the glorious Messianic promise to the human race of deliverance through the sacrifice of the Son of the Most High。 See Genesis 22：9； 16：18。 Here it was that when David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to stay the avenging sword of the destroying angel； God had answered him by fire from heaven。 See 1 Chronicles 21。 And now once more the worshipers of Jehovah were here to meet their God and renew their vows of allegiance to Him。
The time chosen for the dedication was a most favorable onethe seventh month； when the people from every part of the kingdom were accustomed to assemble at Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles。 This feast was preeminently an occasion of re
