1 Kings 3 ~ Love the Lord, walking in the statutes

  

National Geographic reports a 3,000-year-old defensive wall biblical might refer to the one built by King Solomon, has been unearthed, in Jerusalem, according to Professor Eilat Mazar, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Mazar believes its natural for archaeologists excavating in the Holy Land to consult biblical texts along with other ancient documents. "I don't believe there is an archaeologist who would excavate a site upon which texts have been written without being familiar with those texts," she said. The reference to the wall is also found in this passage and I Kings 9:15

1 Kings 3

Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.

3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 

8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 

11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.



16 Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 The one woman said, “Oh, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. 18 Then on the third day after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. And we were alone. There was no one else with us in the house; only we two were in the house. 19 And this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him. 20 And she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. 21 When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead. But when I looked at him closely in the morning, behold, he was not the child that I had borne.” 22 But the other woman said, “No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours.” The first said, “No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine.” Thus they spoke before the king.

23 Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’” 24 And the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought before the king. 25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” 26 Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.” 27 Then the king answered and said, “Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.” 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.

The "House of David" is inscribed on this victory stele excavated at Tel Dan, in the Galilee region of Israel. It is dated from the 9th Century BC. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. The Tel Dan Stele is important in the study of Biblical Archaeology.

Wow, how often do we remember Solomon was given wisdom as a child. A married, king child to be sure.

A good number of excavations occurred before 1928. The excavations of the Herodian Temple. Here are some photos and drawings made of old photos:

The Library of Congress has Photos underneath the Temple Mount and above. 

And there is a book of maps of theories that seem very well done. 

Locating Solomon's Temple by Norma Robertson

http://templemountlocation.com/index.html

This part of the Temple is known to all

as the Wall of the First Temple

Built by Solomon

Herodian Temple exceeded Solomon's built Temple by far.

The Theory is The Double Gates to the right are Solomon's lower walls.

Above is the Golden Gate today

and this is considered shared

with the older Temple 

before 1920s Photo below

Drawing of Wilson's exploration

Antiquities are still being found and stood in for the first time. This is a drain put in by Herodian builders.

A 1927 earthquake set of photos from the Library of Congress.

Women's Court filled with debris about the time Wilson explored.

Under the Double Gate, space. Near where Solomon's Stables would have been.

This will now be included in Western Wall Tours. City Hall from 20 A.D. This might have been where the Sanhedrin Met for Temple Business.

Today, meeting different people and then a Facebook conversation, it's easy to recognize when we connect with people or hit their buttons. Solomon asked for Wisdom. Wisdom to be able to move and shape what God had given him.  Better than destruction and power. 

And the method God spoke with Solomon we can understand. For the many years of being in Bible Studies and even in line at the grocery store or a family function, people have told me about the Dreams they have had of God.

And so many times, this has shaped their future lives. Things like dreaming of children, now born, who were dreamed of in childhood and given Names in the Dream.  People shape their lives around being gifted a Dream of God. And will have the best look come upon their faces to know God has blessed them with His Presence.

Several people have built their lives upon what God has told them in their youth.

We see the old photos and understand better about the Temple.  Knowing what we touch today was true then and solid today. We hope to move the stones better and see our faith firm as a Cornerstone of Jesus. And solid to walk the Path and Plan He has given us. Believing God Himself.

Jesus tells us Faith is work. And God does not disappoint us that Solomon would walk and question and think upon what God has Told Solomon in a Dream. Solomon is also a Prodigal Son given the inheritance of daily Blessings. We walk with Jesus.

Abba, Our Abba, Our Father,

The Wind of Life blows where it will. 

Let this Wind find us remembering Your Blessings. 

Let us find this Lent, we are eager to take the time to find 

and 

Bless You for our Blessings.

Make these Blessings for Future Generations.

Jesus,
Fill our hearts, fill the hearts of those we Love. 

Thank You for the people You have given us. 

Jesus bless them and bless them and bless them with Your Love.

Let the Holy Spirit sweep this Nation, finding Easter Week and Your Willing Blessings.

Bless the work of our hands and the thoughts of our heart 

and the words of our mouth to cause You to Lift Your Face and Smile.

Jesus, Please, Help us as we need You in all aspects of our lives. 

Where we know and even where we do not know even to ask. 

Let Your Living Water soak and nourish us all. You are Love. 

Reign upon us.


Thank You for our Daily Mercy Given and Blessings.

Help us to Live the Path You give us with Love.
The Lamb of God is for us.

 You have Given us Your Son, Your Word, Your Promises.

 Thank You.

Let our Nation and all nations and 

all of Your Beloved Children 

find more Heaven 

and more of Your Good Will on this earth.

We pray for the Storms of Destruction to pass

 and end with the Pandemic.

For ALL Your Good Creation.

Ukraine especially.

Bless us all, Father.

We will finish well in Jesus Christ and His Love.

The Words of Jesus bless us. 

Thank You. Alleluia. Amen.

♔ LORD JESUS SAVES †

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Nehemiah 8:10 ~ For the Joy of the Lord is your strength

 

During challenging times, Joy is found.

Nehemiah 8:10 

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: 

neither be ye sorry; 

for the joy of the Lord 

is your strength.

In this chapter of Nehemiah, the people have to be told not to suffer and mourn living in a burned out Jerusalem. It's the first seasons of being set free from Babylon. Their hearts mourn the comfort of the Garden City of Babylon, no matter which Empire is holding this. It's the 1000 mile walk. Trying to decide to build their homes or the fortification or the Temple. The people are told not to mourn.  Enough was present for the misty eyes to happen. This isn't recorded, but the question and the answer is mournful.

Sometimes being told to have Joy is the least joyful thing. We examine internally, "Why do we have to be told this?" And from there the ball begins to roll sharply downhill.

John 11

 17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 

18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 

20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 

24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 

27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; 

I believe that you are the Christ, 

the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Martha, we believe her, she believes Jesus. Yet, dealing with all the reality of today, Martha would have to be reminded to be joyful. Incredible Blessings surround Martha. And instead of being the servant with one talent, afraid of the Master, Martha is feeling in the relationship with Jesus, she can tell Jesus all of her hopes, dismay and anger.

4th Time Vaccinations are now becoming available. The reality is the Vaccinations are making every day life easier for those who take the Vaccinations. No one jumped up and down and shouted Hip Hip Hooray.  Unless you had prior notification, formerly called a blind trust...

How long has this been goooing onnn?  We know the song. If God answers us, He might remind us

when He delighted to walk in the cool of the evening with Adam in the Garden of Eden, Adam took his obvious blessings, Adam and Eve wanted to have the knowledge of God sorting out good and evil. To have more than Eden. More than God.

We have the tendency to take our Blessings and make blendings, put them in the blender with all our thoughts, expectations and selfishness. 

One of my favorite sermons, about 1995, was Fr. Stephen Bierschen, telling us, we all lose the thread of the Sermon almost every Sunday. We have to put our head up, listen and plug back in. There is no need to feel we are too awful to participate, simply come back to Jesus and be welcome knowing we are His Beloved. This is Jesus, the mercy of Jesus Christ.

We can take our jumbled up thoughts about our blessings and not feel rotten. The grace of God is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  God tells us He desires Mercy over sacrifice. 

Hosea 6:6 

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

  

Jesus did agree with the Prophet Hosea

  

Matthew 9:13

But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Matthew 12:7

If only you had known the meaning of 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.

Mark 12:33

and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, which is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." 

Scripture is written for you. Jesus is Alive and for you. Scripture is alive. 

James 2:10

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, 

he is guilty 

of all. 

  

Luke 19:41

And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it  

Luke 19

40 “I tell you,” He answered, “if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.” 

41 As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it 42 and said, 

“If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! 

But now it is hidden from your eyes."  

 

John 20

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, 

thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, 

and yet have believed.

Jesus told us the work of mankind is to believe. Naaman threw a fit to be asked to leave Elijah without pomp or ceremony and bathe in a river, rather by himself, to have a miracle of leprosy cleansed. A real fit. God cured Naaman.   God didn't pout and say, "Never mind, Naaman is a jerk."

Philippians 2 

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: 

6Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality 

with God something to be grasped

Nehemiah 8:10 

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: 

neither be ye sorry; 

for the joy of the Lord 

is your strength.

Abba, Father God,

By You all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,

Jesus brings many sons to glory. 

For Jesus is come to our Father's glory with His angels, 

and He will reward each person according to what he has done.

Today:

We are remembering Good Prayer Blessed to God. 

Thank God, Himself, I had my third eye surgery 

please pray all heals well and my eyesight continues to improve, thank you!

This has been THANK YOU LORD JESUS.

Jesus has been hearing us pray in Amazing and Wondrous Ways.

 We ask Jesus today for those suffering,

who need His Help. His Love and Mercy.

Lord Jesus please heal, love, forgive, and heal them all

 in Your Love and Mercy. Amen.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among

 those with whom He is pleased!”

Father God, help us to do the Good Works You have prepared us to walk in. 

For the ones we Love and the People You have given us. 

For our Churches, places of work, our states and Nation. 

Ukraine and their valiant bravery. Poland the breadth and depth of Mercy.

The People who are Your Beloved, to ALL

cover them with Your Name in strength and mercy. 

We live abundantly on the Word of God, You have provided.

We Pray for the Republic.

We the People all have Family and Loved Ones 

we have fought and lived and died

for our Freedoms.

One Nation Under God

with

Liberty and Justice for All.

We pray for Truth.

Knowing in the Truth is where Peace and Integrity 

with Love and Courtesy Dwell.

Jesus, please dwell in us.

Jesus, please dwell in those we Love.

We ask to seek You first.

In Jesus, we will finish well.

Favor our Nation, dwell in us. Please.

We ask to know to seek You first in all aspects of Life.

Knowing we will see and be more of Heaven on earth.

 Proverbs 16:9 

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Jeremiah 29:11 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, 

plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 40:31 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; 

they shall walk and not faint.

Abba, Father God,

You have told us to always pray with Hope.

We pray for the 73 Million Children

in the USA to have Your Blessing

and Protection.

Jesus help us in this Nation to be in Your Word and see more Joy.

Covered in God's Love,

The end of Trouble.

Help this Virus end quickly, safely

We rest in the Hands of Our Good Father.

In Jesus Christ. Amen.

God Himself Bless, Sustain, Comfort, Guide

Jesus Christ Live in us.

Help us to seek You first.

Amen!

Roads of Heaven

♔ LORD JESUS SAVES †

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