The National tribune., 1889-11-21
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

Dec. /. H., 8 5t6l.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated above.l
SUBJECT: SoLoMoN's BLESSING UPON THE
PEOPLE AFTER THE DEDICATION OF THE
TEMPLE.
The paragraph, XII, 8 54-61, is the only
account we have of the facts stated therein.
We may assume 1t was written practically in
connection with the events cited, and hence
by some contemporaneous prophet. Then, later
on, it was compiled by Ezra.
2. Time.
We date Solomon's prayer 5000 A. D., or 1904
B. G. 1t was about the time of Homer's birth.
We see in XII, g Il, the statement it was 40
years after the exodus. Josephus puts IL in
the month of Tisri September and October),
and thus in connection with the Feast OF Tab
ernacles. That was always joyful occasion,
and very suitable for dedication. David had
been dead ii years, and therefore Solomon had
been on the throne IL years. Solomon was
about 80 years old.
3. Whers.
The temple was raised on Mount Moriah.
Jerusalem was built on five hills-Ophel, Zion,
AGRA, Bezetha, Moriah. Moriah was at the
east, with Bezetha to the north, Ophel to the
SOUTH Zion southwest, and AGRA northwest.
Constantinople and Rome each spread ont over
seven hills. There was one specially interest
ing historical association connected with Mount
Moriah It was on that eminence Abraham
was about to offer up Isaac as human sacrifice.
1t is said that. in clearing the top OF the mount
for the construction OF tho temple, portion OF
the original rock was left untouched, 80 to TO
feet long by 40 to 80 wide. 1t was, so tradition
says on that particular spot that Isaac was
practically offered as sacrifice. (Gen., chapter
22l 1t is supposed that the altar of the temple
was located just above that point. 1t is claimed
Mahomet assembled thence to heaven. Many
q Christian traveller searching for light has ex-
pressed the wish he might DO permitted to see
beneath'the slab under the dome OF the Mosque
now built on Mount Moriah, Doubtless he
would discover much Of important information
to Judaism and Christianity in the way of con-
firmation and evidence. Much is being said
about the return of the Jews to Jerusalem and
to Palestine in general, and it was once re-
ported that the Sultan of Turkey had offered
to make sale of the Mosque of Omar, now occn-
plying the site of Solomon's Temple. Much
property in and about Jerusalem is already
owned by Jews.
A delightful legend has been handed down
In explanation of the fact that that particular
spot was selected as place on which to build
the temple. 1t Is certainly we'll that the very
locations on which structures for religious pur-
poses are erected have suitable and suggestive
| associations
There is o charming tradition connected
| with tho site on which the Temple of Solomon
| was erected. IL is said to have been occupied
| in common by two brothers, one Of whom had
| family--the other had none. On this spot
| was sown a field of wheat. On the evanIng
succeeding the harvest--the wheat having been
gathered in separate shoclSs-the elder brother
| said to his wife: My younger brother is unable
| to bear the burden aud heat OF the day. will
| arise take of my shocks, and place with his
| without his knowledge The younger brother
| being actuated by the same benevolent motives,
said within himself: My elder brother has a
| family and i have none. / will arise, take oil
| my shocks, and place with his.
Judge OF their mutual astonishment when,
on the following day, they found their respect
| i've shocks undiminished. This course OF
| events transpired for several nights, when each
/ resolved In his own mind to stand guard and
| solve the mystery. They did so, when on
the following night they met each other hall
| way between their respective shocks. with their
arms fall. Upon ground hallowed by such as
| sociatons as this was the Temple OF Solomon
| erected-so spacious and magnihcent-the won
| der and admiration of the world F."
| When pronounCing the words of verses So "a
| 81 Solomon stood near the altar at which ht
had offered his prayer Of conservation. (Vs
- and 81. For the prayer soc verses % to So
| We learn from I'd Chron., 5:l3, that he hac
4
about five aud one.half feet above the pave
ment, and about nine feet square, so that il
| praying TO God and blessing the people ht
might DO so elevated that all could see him.
4. The Circumstances.
Prior to the construction of the tabernacle a
! Mt. Sinai Il does not appear that the lsraelite
| had places where the people could assemble fo
| worship. The tabernacle once built gave op
| portunity to a limited extent for snch genera
gatherings of the Israelites The tabernacle
was however, small aud movable, and quit,
| tent-like. II served well during the migratory
days of tho Jews, but was unsuitable after thu
| nation had become settled and comparatively
freed from civil and international annoyances
| Ii entered tho mind of David TO build grand
temple but he was forbidden the work on nc
count of his associations with destructive war
necessitated in gaining and settling the terri
tory given 10 tho Jews. (5:3; CHI, %: 8
2s:3J The work was left TO his son and sue
cessor Solomon. And Solomon was not remis
in that duty. As soon as practicable after hi
Inauguration he set To work TO carry out David
wishes. 1t required some time To put thing
into shape TO begin his Governmental reign
But he remembered the promise of God /
David %: 81. and realized his own obligation
Within about four or i've years he began tn
work Of tho construction of the temple. 1t wa
completed in about seven aud one-half years
Hiram, King OF Tyre, out of great personal con
| sidoraton for David, furnished much of the ma
terial. Co.: ID Here was sort of intimation @
the interest of tho Gentiles in the advance O
the Hebrew religion. The foundations of tn
temple were laid in the year 1892 A. NJ. Th
structure was completed in the year 5000 A
NJ. IL was dedicated in 300l A. NJ. The dedi
cation was deferred till the year after tn
building was finished. so that the grand even
| might be synchronous with the jubilee yea
The entrance TO the temple was from the cas-
The Holy of Holes was in the west end. TIL
structure was exceedingly grand, built as it wa
quite regardless ofexpense. The Holy of Holie
having been finished the Ark was brought owe
from its tabernacle ON Mt. Zion and place
within the vail dividing the Holy Place froI
the Holy of Holes. The day for dedication al
rived. Solomon took position on the scatfol
erected for the purpose. Then no offered thS
memorable prayer. Is: 23-53)
5. The Blessing.
, The blessing was pronounced by Solomon
We feel no was inspired for the occasion. An
|, surely God who infused such petition int
the mind OF Solomon eau be trusted to fulill
I in every item.
. During the prayer Solomon kneeled, but i
, pronounoing the blessing he took standin
attitude. Turning from the altar he faced tn
people. Ton kneeling in prayer see 2 Chr
! 6: I3; Ezra. 9:5; Ps.. 95:6; Dan 6: 10; S
. Luke, 22:41; Acts 20: SO; 2l:5) Will
uttering the blessing Solomon stood with hand
spread out. ION thus extending hands in prsye
/ or blessing see V. 22; Ex., 8: %, 80; 2 Chr
: | q. 10. Err o 8 Job III l3: Pa % q: 6.}: A