I believe that every Christian ought to be joined to some visible Church—that is his plain duty according to the Scriptures. God’s people are not dogs, otherwise they might go about one by one. They are sheep and, therefore, they should be in flocks.
– Charles Spurgeon
(3) Where is the temple built (3:1, I Chronicles 21, Genesis 22), and why is this location significant?
How do the events at this spot point to Jesus?
(2-4) What words would you use to describe the temple?
Why did the temple have to be “great” (2:5, Revelation 21:22)?
(2, 6) What was the purpose of the temple (2:6, 6:21)?
How might this point us to Jesus (John 1:14, Hebrews 9:26, John 15:16)?
(1-2, 5-7) The glory of God filled the temple (5:14, 7:1). What do you learn about this God from the following verses:
1:1 –
1:11-12 –
2:5 –
5:13 –
6:4 –
6:14 –
6:18 –
6:30 –
7:14 –
(1, 6-7) In response to God, what kind of heart should we have (1:11, 6:7-8, 6:14, 6:36-38, 7:10)?
(1, 6-7) Another response to God in our text is prayer. What might we learn from Solomon’s prayers (1:7-10, 6:13-21)?
What more can we learn about prayer in 7:14?
(5, 7) A third response to God is praise for his goodness and steadfast love (5:13, 7:3). His goodness and love are a constant refrain in the Psalms as well (100:5, 106:1, 107:1, 118:1, 136:1). How have you seen this refrain over your life?
How might your heart change if you regularly pondered and praised God for his goodness and love in your life?
A strong angel comes now to stand
With glory, authority
Greater than our tri-als at hand
Calling us to hold steady
Then the thunders
Sound and are sealed
Calling for humility
A call to hope – Christ is coming
There will be no more delay
Take the scroll and begin eating
Sweet our hope in Christ today
Bitter stomachs! Weep for the lost!
Proclaim salvation in Christ!
To the tune of “Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending”
– Joel Beeke in Revelation
David leaves a charge for Israel and Solomon, and prays to the Lord. Consider:
Q/A#2
Q: Who is this God we are to love?
A: This God is the LORD, the one true God in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King.
– Jeremiah 10:10a
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
– Matthew 28:19
Verses for Further Reflection
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.
O Israel, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
– Psalm 115:1-11
Discussion Questions Related to the Verses
What other gods are you tempted to glory in or trust in?
What is happening in your life right now for which you need to trust in the Lord?
God has given us instructions about how to live as his creatures, as the finite body-and-soul beings he has made us to be. But some of us are trying to live as if we are infinite. It’s hardly surprising that we are breaking down. – David Murray in Reset
David prepares for building the temple and organizes the Levites. Note:
We are God’s: let us therefore live for him and die for him. We are God’s: let his wisdom and will therefore rule all our actions. We are God’s: let all the parts of our life accordingly strive toward him as our only lawful goal.
– John Calvin
Most of us think we are less limited than we actually are. Such underestimating of our limitations and overestimating of our abilities results inevitably in strain, fraying, and eventually breaking.
Brian J. Mikul 