This chapter 4 of the book, 2 Chronicles is sandwiched between chapter 3 and 5. These three chapters describe how Solomon carried out and fulfilled David, his father’s wish to build a temple for God. Chapter 3 narrates how the Most Holy Place is constructed and chapter 5, how the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the temple after everything was being furnished. Here is this chapter 4, it describes in greater details the various items in the temple. Refer to the right for a pictorial illustration of these items that are mentioned in this chapter.

Verses 1-6 highlights the altar of bronze (bronze altar) which the Jews would bring their animals to the priests to be burned there. It also gives details about the Sea, a huge basin made from cast metal that the priests used to wash and bathe themselves clean before they enter into the temple. Verse 5 tells us that it can contain water for 3000 baths!

Verses 7-22 describe the items in the Holy Place such as the golden lampstands and the table of showbread. Verse 11 highlights this person Hiram who is the king of Tyre. 1 Ki 5:1 tells us as soon as Solomon had been installed as king of Israel to take over David, Hiram was being mentioned as a person who knows and loves David. It was him who first provided Solomon with all the timber of cedar and cypress from Lebanon to help him build the temple for God. During the building process, Hiram was mentioned to provide all the other temple items as well to fulfil the wish of David, Solomon’s father,

The temple that was built by Solomon was an immensely huge one. The illustrated picture tells us that it is close to the size of an American football field. It involves a lot of construction materials that Solomon depended on external nations to help provide for them. V11 gives credit to Hiram for helping to complete building the temple. And finally in 2 Chr 5:1, Solomon was able to see to the completion of the entire temple. The verse also says that Solomon brought in those temple treasuries that David himself had also set aside for the temple.

From the very first day that Solomon prepared the materials to build the temple in 1 Ki 5, the temple was finally completed in 2 Chr 5:1. Solomon kept and fulfilled a godly wish of his father to build the temple for God. David wanted to build the temple himself but God told him that he had shed too much blood in the battlefield to do this sacred task.

My brothers and sisters, we might have our own wishes and even made some as well whenever our family or friends celebrate our birthday. Are those wishes godly? If so, do continue to trust God that He will grant you those wishes in accordance with His will and timing like the fulfilled wish of David.

PRAYER : Dear God, you have impressed upon me to make this godly wish now or before (pray and tell God in detail…). I pray by faith that you would grant and fulfill this wish of mine in accordance with you will and your timing. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.