2 Chronicles 8:1–16 (September 24, 2025)

Solomon's Accomplishments

8 At the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the house of the Lord and his own house, 2 Solomon rebuilt the cities that Hiram had given to him, and settled the people of Israel in them.

3 And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah and took it. 4 He built Tadmor in the wilderness and all the store cities that he built in Hamath. 5 He also built Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon, fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars, 6 and Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had and all the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen, and whatever Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion. 7 All the people who were left of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel, 8 from their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel had not destroyed—these Solomon drafted as forced labor, and so they are to this day. 9 But of the people of Israel Solomon made no slaves for his work; they were soldiers, and his officers, the commanders of his chariots, and his horsemen. 10 And these were the chief officers of King Solomon, 250, who exercised authority over the people.

11 Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter up from the city of David to the house that he had built for her, for he said, “My wife shall not live in the house of David king of Israel, for the places to which the ark of the Lord has come are holy.”

12 Then Solomon offered up burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of the Lord that he had built before the vestibule, 13 as the duty of each day required, offering according to the commandment of Moses for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the three annual feasts—the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths. 14 According to the ruling of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service, and the Levites for their offices of praise and ministry before the priests as the duty of each day required, and the gatekeepers in their divisions at each gate, for so David the man of God had commanded. 15 And they did not turn aside from what the king had commanded the priests and Levites concerning any matter and concerning the treasuries.

16 Thus was accomplished all the work of Solomon from[a] the day the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid until it was finished. So the house of the Lord was completed.

17 Then Solomon went to Ezion-geber and Eloth on the shore of the sea, in the land of Edom. 18 And Hiram sent to him by the hand of his servants ships and servants familiar with the sea, and they went to Ophir together with the servants of Solomon and brought from there 450 talents[b] of gold and brought it to King Solomon.

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 8:16 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew to

2 Chronicles 8:18 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms

Faithful Worship and the Order of God’s House

Summary

After completing the temple and his palace, Solomon turned to strengthening his kingdom. He rebuilt cities, fortified strongholds, and established storage and chariot cities (vv. 1–6). He subjected the remaining non-Israelite peoples to forced labor, but the Israelites themselves he kept for military service and leadership roles (vv. 7–10). His rule was marked by prosperity and organization.

Most importantly, Solomon established the regular service of the temple exactly as David, his father, had commanded. The priests carried out their duties, the Levites led worship and assisted the priests, and the gatekeepers guarded the temple gates (vv. 14–15). The text emphasizes that they did not deviate from David’s instructions but carried out everything with precision. Thus, Solomon completed the work of the temple and ensured its worship was orderly and faithful.

Who is God?

Our God is of order and not of disorder. He is faithful to redeem and restore us. He had given instructions for worship through David, and Solomon’s task was not to innovate but to preserve and establish that pattern. We should remember this as well!

God Himself sets the terms for how He is to be worshiped (i.e., the prescribed order). He is not honored by human invention but by faithful obedience to His Word.

What is our guilt?

We often treat worship casually, as if it were up to our preference or creativity rather than God’s command. Like Israel might have been tempted, we can think that as long as the temple is beautiful and the city strong, the details of worship do not matter. But God is not honored by strength or splendor alone. He is honored by obedience to His revealed will (i.e., the Word). Our temptation is to prioritize efficiency, attraction, or tradition in worship over faithfulness to God’s Word. We risk crafting worship around ourselves rather than around God.

How does grace shine?

Christ has fulfilled the temple worship in Himself. The sacrifices, the priesthood, the Levites’ service—all find their completion in Him. We no longer come to God by endless ritual but by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, our great High Priest.

God still calls His church to ordered, faithful worship according to His Word. And by His Spirit, He equips us to worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Where Solomon ensured that worship in his day conformed to the prescription given to his father, David, Christ ensures that our worship today is acceptable to God, not because of our intentions, but because we come clothed in His righteousness.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you are of order and covenant faithfulness. We confess that we often make worship about our preferences and neglect your commands. Forgive us for treating lightly the holy privilege of drawing near to you.

Thank you for Jesus Christ, who has fulfilled all sacrifices and made us a royal priesthood. Teach us to worship you in spirit and truth, with reverence and obedience to your Word. May our lives, like the temple service, be ordered to your glory.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.