ONE GREATER THAN SOLOMON IS HERE
After the revelation of the Temple was given to David, we find him calling Solomon and the officials of Yisharal together for a great Assembly, and he gives charge concerning the building of Yahuah's Temple.
A. DAVID'S PREPARATION
David's true heart is seen in his preparation for the building of the Temple. Even though David himself would not be allowed to build it, or even live to see its dedication and esteem, he still prepared abundantly for it before his death. Solomon, his son, would receive the credit and praise for its construction, but there was no jealousy or resentment in David's heart, or withholding from Yahuah of anything for His house.
B. David's Charge to Solomon — I CHRON 22
After calling his son Solomon, David gave him a charge to build the house for Yahuah, the Alahim of Yisharal, reminding him how it had been in his own heart but because he was a man of war he was not allowed to build it, for the house of Yahuah can only be built in a time of peace. Yahuah would be a father to Solomon and he would be His son. His Throne would be established forever. So David challenged him to guard the Divine Laws of Yahuahgiven to Moses, encouraging him to seek Yahuah in wisdom and understanding and to fulfil this charge laid on him. He would build the vision of his father David. Solomon was also reminded of the gold, silver, brass and iron, the timber and stone that DAVID HAD PREPARED for the house of Yahuah. David told his son of the abundance of workers available to help in the work of stone and timber as well as the other metals prepared for Yahuah's house.
C. David's Charge to the Princes — 1 CHRON 22
So that Solomon would not feel alone in the great charge laid on him, David commanded the Princes of Yisharal to help him. Yahuah was with them. Rest was theirs. The enemies had been subdued. Therefore they were to seek Yahuah with heart and being and build the sanctuary of Yahuah. The Ark of the Blood-Covenant, and the Set-Apart vessels of Yahuah had to be brought into the house built for Yahuah's Divine Portal.
D. David's Charge to the Levites — 1 Chronicles 23:3-32
David also set the Levites into their various courses, commanding them to keep the charge of Yahuah as given to them by Moses in the priestly services. David reminded them to "keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, the charge of the Set-Apart place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of Yahuah." In this chapter we see King David laying the charge to build Yahuah's house on the shoulders of Solomon and the leaders of the Nation, as well as the Princes and the Levites. The people could not rise above or go beyond the leadership. If the Princes and the Levites had no heart or motivation for building Yahuah's Temple then neither would the people of Yisharal. So here David gives Solomon the charge to build the Temple and guard the Instructions of Yahuah. The charge of David was in reality the charge of Yahuah and it has not changed in regards to His Bride preparing a place for Him to dwell. YAHUSHA HAS CLEANSED HIS BRIDE FROM A DIVINE PERSPECTIVE AND IS NOW DWELLING AND WORKING WITHIN HIS CHOSEN, HOWEVER FROM AN EARTHLY REALITY, SHE IS STILL UNCLEAN, UNUNIFIED AND UNABLE TO BE USED TO HOUSE THE SHINING ESTEEM OF THE MASTER YAHUSHA.
Yahuah spoke of "Solomon in all his esteem" not being arrayed even as one of the lilies of the field (MATT 6). Let's now look at the esteem of Solomon and his Kingdom before taking up the Temple which he built for the Name of Yahuah. Just as David shadowed Messiah, as a Warrior and man of war who shed blood and conquered all our enemies, making preparation for the building of His Assembly, Yahuah's New Temple, So Solomon shadowed Yahusha's Set-Apart Spirit, as the man of peace and wisdom, who builds the Assembly, Yahuah's Temple. But "one greater than Solomon is here" (MATT 12:42).
A. SOLOMON'S NAME
Solomon had two names given to him and both were given by Yahuah before his birth
1. SOLOMON = "Peaceful, perfect, one who recompenses".
2. JEDIDIAH = "Beloved of Yahuah", named so by the prophet Nathan. These two names were prophetic.
Solomon was a man of peace, his Kingdom was peaceable. Solomon was also loved by Yahuah. Yahusha Messiah was also named before His birth by His heavenly Father (LK 1), He is the King of peace, and of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end (IS 9, ZECH 9). Yahuah spoke to Him from the heavens saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (MATT 3). Truly "one greater than Solomon is here".
B. SOLOMON'S ANOINTING
Solomon also had two anointings as King before he was established in David's Throne, the throne of the Blood-Covenant. His first anointing took place before David's death, with the Set-Apart horn of oil out of the Tabernacle of Yahuah. The trumpet was blown, and all shouted, "Yahuah save the King!"
Zadok the PRIEST, Nathan the PROPHET, and David the KING were there at this anointing of Solomon to the throne in the midst of great joy. This anointing took place in the midst of rebellion and an attempted usurping of the throne (without anointing) by David's rebel son, Adonijah.
Solomon's second anointing took place at David's message to all the assembled Princes and Captains of Yisharal as he announced that Yahuah had chosen Solomon to build the Temple of Yahuah. This anointing was a great public anointing and inauguration as King over all Yisharal. It is worthy to remember that David also had two anointings as King (privately before his family and publically in all esteem before the nation).
Yahusha became "the anointed", as the Father poured upon Him the oil of the Set-Apart Spirit. Yahusha received this anointing of the Spirit in His earthly service at the River Jordan as He rose out of the waters of Immersion (MATT 3). Old Blood-Covenant Priests and Kings were anointed and called "Yahuah's anointed" also (1 SAM 2). When Yahusha ascended on high, He received the promise of the Father which could be outpoured on the Bride, His Assembly (ACTS 2). The title "Messiah" means "The Anointed" in Hebrew. Yahusha Messiah is Yahuah's anointed, set on the Set-Apart hill of Zion (PS 2). He is the Father, Messiah, Creator and Living Alahim (JN 1, MATT 16:16). Truly again, "one greater than Solomon is here."
C. SOLOMON'S KINGSHIP
Ecc 1 tells us that Solomon, the son of David, was King over all Yisharal in Yerushalim. Yerushalim is the city of righteousness, the city of peace. Yerushalim is the city of the great King. Yahusha Messiah, David and Solomon's greater Son, is King of righteousness and King of Peace, after the order of Melchisedek. He reigns from the heavenly Zion, the heavenly Yerushalim which is above the earthly Zion and Yerushalim. Again, "one greater than Solomon is here".
It is significant to note throughout the whole of the building of the Temple that the High Priest is not the one in focus (although he does function), but it is THE KING, Solomon, who is the major office. This is prophetic of Messiah, who is both PRIEST and KING, but in the final esteem He is seen as THE KING OF KINGS and Master of Masters (REV 19).
D. SOLOMON'S THRONE
Scripture tells us that Solomon sat upon the throne of the Kingdom of his father David and all Yisharal obeyed him. The leaders of Yisharal submitted themselves to him. Yahuah bestowed such Royal Majesty on him as no other King ever had and so the Kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon
Solomon's Throne points to the greater throne of Yahusha Messiah, especially at His second coming as King of Kings and Prince of Peace.
1. It was a Great Throne and there was no throne greater. Yahusha now sits in the Greatest Throne of the Universe, His Father's throne (REV 3:21).
2. It was a Unique Throne and there was no other throne like it. Earthly thrones will pass away. The throne of Yahuah and the Lamb is a unique throne, eternal, unchanging, redemptive (REV 22:1-2). It is a heavenly throne, ruling the whole Universe.
3. It was a Throne of Ivory from the elephant (suggesting strength). Ivory whiteness suggests purity and set-apartness. Yahusha came forth from the "ivory palaces" (PS 45:8) to earth to redeem us. The throne of Yahuah and the Lamb is a throne of set-apartness and purity.
4. It was a Throne with Six Steps of ascent, which may speak of the 6000 years of Yahuah (PS 90, 2 PET 3:8), which brings us to the throne of Yahusha where He Reigns over the whole earth in the Millennial Kingdom.
5. It was a Throne with a Footstool of Gold. Heaven is Yahuah's throne, earth is His footstool. The Temple was His footstool in the Old Blood-Covenant days. However in the Seventh Day, the earth will be His footstool, covered with His esteem (symbolised by the gold). Yahuah will dwell among His people. This footstool was fastened to the throne. Heaven and earth will indeed be connected.
6. It was a Throne with Two Lions by its Stays. Two lions were by the stays of the throne, one on the right hand, the other on the left. These can speak of the two witnesses, Moses and Elijah on the Mt of Transfiguration. Yahusha, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah sits upon the throne, and there is a place on the right hand and left hand reserved for these two men (MATT 20, REV 11, ZECH 4).
7. It was a Throne with Twelve Lions, two on each step. Twelve is the number of Divine Government. The twelve lions here, two on each of the six steps, can speak of the twelve apostles, sent out by Yahusha, two by two into every city into which He Himself would come. (MATT 19). The twelve were to reign with Him in the regeneration when He sits upon His throne of esteem.
Yahusha, the greater Solomon sits in the throne of His Father and reigns in Mt Zion, from the Divine Yerushalim, over His people, the Assembly, Spiritual Yisharal. His people submit to Him in such Royal Majesty as His Kingdom is established in peace.
E. SOLOMON'S ENEMIES
In order for Solomon to reign in peace and his Kingdom to be established in peace, there were some final enemies that had to be subdued. David had conquered the enemies without, (the external and national enemies of the Kingdom), but he'd left some enemies still within, (internal in the Kingdom for Solomon to deal with). All enemies had to be put under the soles of his feet before he could build the Temple of Yahuah (1 KINGS 5:4, 4:24-25). Four particular enemies had to be dealt with, these being Adonijah, Joab, Abiathar and Shimei.
ADONIJAH - Sad to say, Adonijah had a righteous name, but certainly did not live up to it. He was David's fourth son and made himself King and usurped the throne of David that was to be for Solomon. When Solomon had been anointed King, Adonijah fled to the Tabernacle of Moses and caught hold of the horns of the altar, seeking mercy and refuge from Solomon. Solomon did grant him the desired mercy on the condition that he would remain in his house, in asylum. However, later on he left his "house of refuge" and was put to death by the word of the King. Who knows whether he would rise in rebellion and usurp again?
JOAB - Joab was the Military Leader and General of David's Army and had a brilliant career. However, in the closing days of David's life Joab got caught in the usurping of Adonijah and tried to help him seize David's throne by force. Joab, following the death of Adonijah, fled to the Tabernacle of Moses also and caught hold of the horns of the altar of brass, pleading for mercy from Solomon. However, no place of mercy was found. He was slain by the altar and Joab was buried in his own house in the wilderness.
ABIATHAR - Abiathar was the eleventh high priest in the line of succession from Aaron. He was the priest who escaped under Saul and fled to David in the wilderness. He was a joint-priest with Zadok. However, he also became involved in the usurpation of Adonijah, along with Joab. Solomon sent a word to him that he would not be put to death because he bore the Ark of Yahuah in David's time. However, he was sent back to his own house and was disposed from Priestly Service to the day of his death . Zadok was placed in the room of Abiathar for priestly service.
SHIMEI - Shimei cursed King David while he was fleeing Yerushalim from Absalom. David allowed him to do so not knowing whether Yahuah had told him to do it or not. When Solomon ascended the throne, he called Shimei before him. He found mercy because of David's oath. Solomon told Shimei to go and dwell in his house and never to leave it. If he did, then his blood would be upon his own head. This was a test of submission and obedience. However, Shimei, in time, disobeyed the word of the King and his promise and so was slain. Thus Solomon dealt with internal foes, characterised by disobedience, rebellion, and usurpation against the throne of David.
Before the Temple could be built, rest, peace and harmony in the Kingdom has to be established. So too for Messiah Yahusha. All enemies are to be put under His feet as He rules and reigns in the Kingdom of His Father Yahuah (PS 110:1-2). Truly, "one greater than Solomon is here".
F. SOLOMON'S KINGDOM
Psalm 72 is a prayer of David for his son Solomon as he takes the throne. It is a prayer for righteousness, justice and judgment and peace. It is a prayer that all enemies would be under his feet and his dominion would be universal in scope. It is a prayer that his name would continue for ever and all Nations would be blessed through his reign. It is a prayer that the whole world would be filled with the esteem of Yahuah. Who can fail to see that the ultimate fulfilment is seen to be in Yahusha Messiah and His Kingdom? As Solomon's Kingdom was to be characterized by righteousness, peace, wisdom and propriety, so the Kingdom of Yahuah and His Messiah, His King, would be characterized by these same attributes for ever. Truly, "one greater than Solomon is here".
G. SOLOMON'S GOVERNMENT was stamped with the number twelve, or multiples of the same.
Twelve is the number of Divine Government. There were TWEVE TRIBES and in the New Blood-Covenant it speaks of the perfect government of Disciples. In 1 Kings 4 we have the TWELVE OFFICERS over all Yisharal. Solomon divided his realm into twelve districts, each having an officer over it and each provided for Solomon's household over the twelve months of the year.
There were twelve lions on the six steps of the throne of Solomon. There were twelve brazen oxen under the molten sea in the outer court.
H. SOLOMON'S WISDOM
Solomon's Kingdom was established and known world-wide for his wisdom. "All the Kings of the earth sought to hear his wisdom which Yahuah had put in his heart" (1 KINGS 10:23; 4:29-34; 4:31). The Kings of the earth came to hear the wisdom that Yahuah had given Solomon, wisdom which excelled all the wisdom of man and the nations about him. All Nations had their "wise men", their astrologers, magicians, necromancers, etc., but none knew the wisdom of Yahuah. Yahuah often confounded their wisdom and brought in His own "wise men" as seen in Joseph before Pharoah, and Daniel before Nebuchadnezzar. The Queen of Sheba came from the uttermost parts of the earth to see and hear the wisdom of Solomon (1 KINGS 10, 2 CHRON 9).
Yahusha said, "one greater than Solomon is here" (MATT 12). He was the wisdom of Yahuah personified, yet the Jews failed to hear such wisdom. They failed to hear the One in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge were hidden (COL 2). The Assembly is also called upon to manifest the wisdom of Yahuah to the world. The Tabernacle of Moses and Tent of David was built through wisdom and so was the Temple of Solomon. Messiah Himself is the wisdom of Yahuah personified, and the Assembly has to be built by the wisdom of Yahuah also (1 COR 1-2).
EVERYTHING THAT SOLOMON SHADOWED IN YISHARAL, YAHUSHA HAS FULFILLED AND IS BUILDING IN HIS BRIDE: HIS DIVINE GOVERNMENT, WISDOM AND DWELLING ON THIS EARTH.
