- For what reasons did Solomon gather all the “elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes and the princes of the house of the children of Israel,” before bringing the ark to the city of David?
- Note that in Solomon’s prayer/dedication of the Temple, he begins his words (I Kings 8:23) with praise of God before asking God for the needs of the people.
- In I Kings 8:28 Solomon speaks of his “tefillah” or prayer. When is the first time this word is used in the Bible?
- Interestingly, before there were synagogues and before “prayer” was a developed institution, Solomon says that the people of Israel will “pray towards this place.” It is clear that some form of “prayer” worship did exist at this early time.
- For the second half of this chapter recall the threats and consequences found in the second paragraph of the “shema.”
- In I Kings 8:55 Solomon will begin his blessing for the Jewish people. Notice the parallel to Moses’ blessing to the people of his generation which he offered upon the completion of the Mishkan. (Exodus 39:43)
- In I Kings 8:58 what is the difference between “chukotav” and “mishpatav”? What type of commandments do each of these categories represent?
- I Kings 8:64 says that Solomon offered a “minchah” offering. This was offered every day in the Temple and now our minchah service takes its place. What type of “sacrifice” was this?
- In I Kings 8:65 the text says that they observed 14 days of feasting. Identify the nature of each of the groupings of “seven days” of which the verse speaks.
