1 Kings 7 · Grade 5

Craftsmanship for the House of God

Name Date

Read and Think

Chapter 7 begins with Solomon's palace complex, built over thirteen years. The House of the Forest of Lebanon had forty-five cedar pillars. There was a Hall of Pillars, a Hall of Judgment paneled with cedar, Solomon's own house, and a house for Pharaoh's daughter. The writer notes that the temple took seven years while the palace took thirteen. Readers can compare where Solomon put his time and wealth.

The bronze work came from Hiram, son of a widow of Naphtali and a man of Tyre. Like Bezalel in the days of the tabernacle, he was filled with wisdom, understanding, and skill. He cast two bronze pillars eighteen cubits high, crowned with lily work and pomegranates. He named them Jachin and Boaz. Many explain these names as He establishes and In Him is strength.

Hiram cast the sea, ten cubits across, resting on twelve oxen facing the four directions, for the priests to wash. Ten wheeled stands carried basins of water. Solomon overlaid the inner furnishings with gold: the altar of incense, the table for the bread of the presence, and ten lampstands. Finally he placed David's dedicated treasures in the temple storerooms. In the New Testament, Paul says each believer is like a builder who must take care how he builds on the foundation, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-11).

Show What You Know

How many cedar pillars did the House of the Forest of Lebanon have?
Who was Hiram compared to?
What was the sea used for?
What did Solomon place in the temple storerooms?

Crossword

Across

For he fashioned the two pillars of ____.
He set up the right pillar and called its name ____.
For he fashioned the two ____ of bronze.

Down

And he set up the left pillar and called its name ____.
King Solomon sent and brought ____ out of Tyre.

Think About It

The pillar names point to God's strength. How can you lean on God's strength this week?
In the New Testament, Paul says to build with care on Jesus Christ. What does building your life on Him look like?

Memory Verse

“Thus all the work that King Solomon did in Yahweh’s house was finished. Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and the vessels—and put them in the treasuries of Yahweh’s house.”

1 Kings 7:51 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for beautiful things. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What plans can you make that put God first?
How can good work bring glory to God?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?