Chapter Summary

Work on the temple and Solomon's house.

Discussion Questions for 1 Kings, Chapter 7

1. Why might Solomon spend more time on his house in verse 1 than on the temple? Why would the author mention this? How does this contribute to our picture of Solomon and the lesson for us?
2. Verse 7 describes Solomon enacting judgement. Where in 1 Kings have we already seen Solomon do this? What do we learn about leadership from the fact that Solomon's main job is to judge between disputes? What does this also teach us about what God sees as important?
3. Verse 13 introduces another man name Hiram, other than the one already introduced in 1 Kings. Explain how we know the two are different, pointing to specific verses. What are each of their roles in the overall story?
4. How does verse 14 show us the practical working of wisdom? Is this how we normally think of wisdom today? Why or why not? What are some ways wisdom could be applied to practical work in Church ministry today?
5. Compare verse 33 with Ezekiel 1. How does the mention of wheels help us understand what exactly Ezekiel is seeing in his strange vision?
6. Looking at verses 47 and 51, how do we see David's generous devotion to providing for worship of God? What practices could believers today enact for similar goals?
7. Why do you think the author includes verse 8 in the story? Given that Pharaoh's daughter is likely not a believer, how will this cause problems in the story?
8. Verse 11 notes that costly stones were used for the temple. What does this teach us about the devotion to the project and about the importance of beauty in God's house?
9. How does this chapter fit into the book of Kings? How would the book be different without this chapter?
10. Verse 51 describes holy vessels devoted to temple service. How are believers to metaphorically be vessels holy and devoted to God?

Key Words/Phrase

Work ended, v. 51.

Characters

God, Solomon, Hiram.

Strong Verse(s)

51