Preparing the Temple for Use

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PASSAGE: 2Chronicles 5:1-14

COMMENT: Solomon had completed the temple his father David had desired to build. Now Solomon prepares the temple for use. The most important act of preparation is to bring the ark into the temple. This is a cause for much sacrifice and praise.

WHAT DOES IT SAY? 

1.                   Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was _____________.

2.                   Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant out of the city of __________, which is __________.

3.                   Israel assembled for the bringing up of the ark in the feast which was in the _________ month.

4.                   In celebration of the bringing up of the ark, Solomon sacrificed sheep and _________, which could not be told nor numbered for __________.

5.                   Among those praising God were a hundred and twenty __________ sounding with ____________.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1.                   In 2Chronicles 5:7, the inner room of the temple, which is sometimes called the Holy of Holies, is given several names. It is called “his place,” “the oracle of the house,” and “the most holy place.” Please take each of these names and explain what you see as its meaning and significance. Look the word oracle up in an English dictionary. Also look up 1Kings 6:16-23; Psalm 28:2; Romans 3:1-2; 1Peter 4:11.

2.                   2Chronicles 5:9 states, “And they drew out the staves of the ark, that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day.” Bible teachers disagree on what exactly this means. The ark had four rings of gold at its four corners. The priests had two boards of wood (the staves) which they would place in the rings in order to carry the ark when they moved it (see Exodus 25:12-16). In this context, explain how you understand 2Chronicles 5:9.

3.                   2Chronicles 5:10 states that there “was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb.” Compare this with the statement in Hebrews 9:4. How do you explain both of these statements?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1.                   In 2Chronicles 5:13, we read this word of praise to the Lord: “For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” This is a common formula for praising the Lord in Old Testament passages. See 1Chronicles 16:34; Ezra 3:11; Psalm 106:1; 107:1; 118:1, 29; 136:1; Jeremiah 33:11. Explain the full meaning of this phrase as you see it. Why is this phrase a good way to praise God? How can you apply this to your life?

2.                   When the priests brought the ark into the temple and the Levites and priests praised the Lord, “then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God” (2Chronicles 5:13-14). Compare this with Exodus 40:34-35 and 1Kings 8:10-12. What is the significance of the cloud? What is represented by the cloud filling the house of the Lord? What does this incident teach us about God?

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES:  2Chronicles 5:13, 14

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