It is not what we escape, but what we gain, by going to heaven that thrills our souls. It is not our desire to be unclothed, but to be clothed upon, that moves us to seek its residence.
This passage records the reigns of five kings of Israel and one king of Judah (in addition to the reign of Azariah of Judah in the first seven verses of the chapter). It is mostly a story of conspiracies and short reigns.
Elijah was a prophet of God during the reign of Ahab; he is mentioned 99 times in the Bible. Nine is the number of fruit in the Bible and Elijah certainly had a fruitful ministry.
The passage lists the various aspects of the temple as part of this pattern that God had given him. Therefore, the pattern for Solomon’s temple comes from God and must have special spiritual significance.
This lesson greatly illustrates a choice made by each person. Will they live their life by conviction or by convenience?
