1 Kings #07: an exposition of 1 Kings 7:1-51. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 8, 2015.
Intro:
Technology is a wonderful thing but it can be frustrating. I love the DVR. We have all kinds of shows recorded that we can watch at our leisure and we can fast-forward through the commercials but DVRs can also be a problem. We can be watching a movie. The tension and drama are building. We are about find out whose responsible for the murder and Rheadon says, “Stop! Rewind it. Look at that.” “What? Look at what?” “Look at that table isn’t it pretty? I love that staircase don’t you?” I don’t know how she does it. It’s background. It has nothing to do with what’s happening in the story. It is on the screen for 2 seconds. She notices that stuff. She’s interested in it – me? Not really. Once I move in I’m done. There is no reason to move things around. Helen Keller could never survive in our home – Rheadon’s constantly moving the furniture around. I get the idea the writer of 1 Kings is a lot like my wife. He seems fascinated with details, especial concerning interior design. That makes 1 Kings 7 a bit tedious for me. Here is all of this talk about dimensions and design and there are no pictures or diagrams. It is clear that this was a massive building with impressive features. I am intrigued by the descriptions of the two massive columns that stood out front and the “the sea of brass” and the description of Solomon’s palace. As I read through the chapter I was interested in what was there and what was not there. Why was this element described but this element left out? It again seems that chapter 7, like chapter 6, is a construction report. Only this time it is more of an interior design plan. Yet there is something important for us as we work our way through the report. Our text this evening is 1 Kings chapter 7.
Text: 1 Kings 7:1-51
Thesis: This rather tedious and ordinary list of temple furnishings provides some surprising lessons.
7:1-2 – The Royal Complex
House of the Forest of Lebanon (2-5)
Hall of Pillars (6)
Hall of Justice (7)
House of Solomon (8a)
House for Pharaoh’s daughter (8b)
Construction notes (9-12)
7:13-51 – Temple Furnishings
Hiram’s work in bronze (13-14)
2 bronze pillars (15-22)
The sea (23-26)
10 movable stands (27-39)
Summary (40-47)
Solomon’s provision of gold (48-51)
There are three things I want to point out along the way.
- The biblical writer’s emphasis clearly highlights his priority. (7:1-12)
- The silent sentinels guarding the entrance to the temple loudly proclaim foundational truths. (7:15-22)
- The writer’s attention to detail is a subtle rebuke of our shallow, superficial approach to worship.