1 Kings 7:48-51 – God our source in life

First Kings 7:48-51 tell us that Solomon had all the internal furnishings of the temple made. They correspond with the fixtures that were in the Tabernacle that Moses made years earlier. Verse 48 describes the first two items. First was the golden altar of incense. This was much like the one described in Exodus 30:1-4. This was the table where incense was offered. It is a symbol of the prayer that was daily offered to the Lord. The second was the table of shewbread or known as the bread of the presence. Though not mentioned, we take it that on the table would be 12 pieces of bread representing the twelves tribes of Israel, ever before the presence of God. It speaks of the Lord’s presence and provision. He would not only be present with His people but would also provide for them.  

Verse 49 refers to the golden lampstands and the accompanying golden articles for the lampstands. In Moses Tabernacle, only one was made. But here we are told that Solomon had ten made. This verse just refers to the golden lampstands that Solomon had made. But we know that each lampstand was intricately made most probably like the one during Moses’ time. Exodus 25:31-40 give details of how intricate the lampstand was. Solomon made ten and placed five on the left and five on the right to provide light for the inner sanctuary. The lampstand which was made like a tree also speaks of the tree of life and the glory of God. In verse 50 we are told that Solomon also had all the articles as well as all the hinges of the doors made of fine gold.   

Finally, in verse 51, Solomon had all the items, the silver and gold that David had dedicated to God brought to the treasuries of the temple. Details of how he got his silver and gold could be found in 2 Samuel 8. Suffice to say that they came from nations that David had subdued.  

The lessons we can learn from this passage will be similar with those we have drawn from the furnishings of the Tabernacle of Moses. Here’s just a few: the table of incense shows us how we need to pray if we are to progress with the Lord. The table of shewbread tells us that we are ever before the presence of God, our provider. The golden Lampstands made like a tree tell us that Jesus is the source of life and light. The gold speaks of how precious He is to us. How can we ever live victoriously without Jesus? Truly apart from Him we can do nothing. So we must draw near to Him each day and be strengthened for the challenges of life!