YEA Lesson Library

The Lesson

King David wanted to build a house for God. It was his idea, not God's. Would you ever be so ambitious? But God didn't allow David to build a house for Him because of sins he had committed. However, God said that David's son, Solomon, could build the Temple, a house for God.

The foundation of the Temple was laid around May in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign. Every detail of the building was completed in the 11th year, in the eighth month (1 Kings 6:38) - taking seven years to complete.

Seven years! Yes it was an awesome structure! It had to be. God would dwell there. There was no earthly thing that was too good to be in this Temple. Its walls, ceilings, and even the floors were overlaid with gold. All the furnishings were of gold.

Since the temple was completed in the eighth month, Solomon waited nearly a year to dedicate it. What a celebration that was! King Solomon took the silver, gold, and all the vessels dedicated for that purpose by his father, David, into the Temple. He called a very special meeting of all the leaders of Israel to be present when the Ark of the Covenant was taken from the Tabernacle and placed in this brand-new sparkling Temple.

The instructions God had given them were carefully met. To have done otherwise would have meant sudden death. Everyone involved in transporting the Ark treated it with the utmost respect. The priests took the Ark into the inner sanctuary of the Temple - the Most Holy Place - and placed it under the wings of the angels. The two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments written on them by God's finger when He made a covenant with Israel at Mt. Sinai were the only things in the Ark.

The Priests had to undergo special purification rites. As they came out of the Holy of Holies they were praising God. The singers, dressed in finespun linen robes, stood at the east side of the altar. The choir was accompanied by 120 priests who were trumpeters, while others played cymbals, lyres, and harps. The band and chorus united as one to praise and thank God. Their music selections were interspersed with trumpet obbligatos. This was no ordinary band or orchestra. You can count on every one of them having been an accomplished musician. It would have certainly inspired our Youth Day participants. There was even a theme for this production as we have for Youth Day. The theme was "He is so good! His lovingkindness lasts forever!" Think about it. How could you use that theme to put on a Youth Day production?

The glory of the Lord came as a bright cloud and filled the Temple. It was impossible for the priests to continue their work. This was an awesome way to begin the Feast of Tabernacles.

The people watched as their king, Solomon, stood before the altar of the Lord with his hands spread towards heaven and prayed. This is probably the most beautiful prayer in the Bible. "O Lord God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or earth, for you are loving and kind, and you keep your promises to your people if they do their best to do your will. Today you have fulfilled your promise to my father David, who was your servant; and now, O Lord God of Israel, fulfill your further promise to him: that if his descendants follow your ways and try to do your will as he did, one of them shall always sit upon the throne of Israel . . .

"Is it possible that God would really live on earth? Why, even the skies and the highest heavens cannot contain you, much less this Temple I have built! And yet, O Lord my God, you have heard and answered my request: Please watch over this Temple night and day--this place you have promised to live in — and as I face toward the Temple and pray, whether by night or by day, please listen to me and answer my requests. Listen to every plea of the people of Israel whenever they face this place to pray. . .

"Then when the people realize their sin and pray toward this Temple, hear them from heaven and forgive and answer all who have made an honest confession; for you know each heart. (1 Kings 8:38,39 TLB).

After Solomon finished praying he rose from before the altar and pronounced a blessing. Then he said, "O my people, may you live good and perfect lives before the Lord our God; may you always obey his laws and commandments, just as you are doing today" (v. 61). A total of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep and goats were sacrificed as peace offerings.

This celebration didn't last seven or eight days as we are accustomed to celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles. It lasted 14 days! The king sent the people home. They were happy for all the goodness that God had shown to David and the Israelites. The people blessed King Solomon.

Wouldn't you like to have been there for this historic Feast of Tabernacles that exceeded all others? Think of the best Feast you've attended and multiply it by. .. it would be difficult to give a number. But you get the point. There was plenty of food, celebrating, singing, and a deep and reverent worship of the True God for His goodness and mercy. How could it have been better? Think about this every year as you celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.