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Category: Vayakhel

Building the Temple

Shemot (Exodus) 35:1–40:38 | M’lakhim Alef (I Kings) 7:40–8:21

Kings seven and eight were undoubtedly chosen as the haftarah to Parashot Vayakhel and Pekudei because the subject of those sections from Exodus is the assembly and completion of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Likewise, the haftarah records the final assembly and completion of the first Temple. The climax in both cases is the entrance of God’s glory (the Shekinah, His abiding glory) into the sanctuaries.

King Hiram

One of the principle characters in the story of the building of the first Temple was King Hiram of Tyre. He enjoyed a warm relationship with Solomon’s father, King David, a national relationship which continued even after David’s death. Our passage describes the kind of help and assistance that this loyal friend of Solomon furnished to the Israelite king. Besides giving workmen, timber, stone, and other raw materials, Hiram was also involved in making some of the fine details of the Temple, including functional tools used in the Temple worship.
We should not miss the significance of Hiram’s part in building the Temple. He was not an Israelite, but was probably a believer in Israel’s God. His willingness to help Solomon in the construction of the Temple stands as an example for many who, though not native Israelites, have been drawn to love the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The fact that Hiram was privileged to help build the very dwelling place of God’s glory, shows that God intends His dwelling to be a House of prayer for all peoples. The Holy One affirms that all who come to Him will never be cast away. In Messiah, there is no distinction between Jew and non-Jew. Both are a part of God’s Israel and equal participants in Israel’s covenant.

King Solomon

King Solomon, the main character in this passage, is presented in the best of lights: it seems that he can do nothing wrong! Throughout the construction of the Temple Solo...

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