Page 235 - Through New Eyes

234 THROUGH NEW EYES

There were ten huge fixed stands in the courtyard that held
water, and that, though immovable, were made in the design of
chariots ( 1 Kings 7:27-39). There were also silver lampstands in
the courtyard to give light at night (1 Chronicles 28:15).
The altar was greatly increased in size (2 Chronicles 4:1),
and was separated from the laity by a low wall, cresting two
courts and institutionalizing the separation of the layman from
the altar that had been in effect in the Tabernacle ( 1 Kings 6:36).
All of this shows a tremendous increase in glory and in reve-
lation. Although the people still could not get into the Temple
and see the inner furniture, they could see equivalent symbolism
on the pillars and bronze ocean. The pillars, of course, were
brand new, not extensions of anything found in the Tabernacle.
As mentioned, they had to do with the institution of Kingship,
which was the definitive change in the Davidic covenant.
The change from Tabernacle to Temple forced some changes
in law. For instance, the jealousy inspection of Numbers 5 could
no longer be performed according to the Mosaic rules, since
the water of jealousy had mixed with it the holy dirt of the
Tabernacle floor (Numbers 5:17); and the Temple floor was
made of gold. Some kind of adjustment had to be made. Also,
since the Levites no longer had the duty of carrying the Taber-
nacle, they were given new tasks by David under Divine inspi-
ration (1 Chronicles 24:25 – 26:32).

History and Decline
No sooner had the Kingdom been established than Solomon
wrecked it through sin. Samuel had portrayed a tyrant king in
1 Samuel 8, and both Saul and David at various times had filled
the description, though David unlike Saul repented of it. Now
Solomon became a tyrant.
The people had been taxed and enlisted to help build the
Temple and Palace. This was fitting for two reasons. First, they
had demanded a king, so it was fitting that they build his palace.
Also, however, the people had made contributions to build the
Tabernacle (after all, in part it symbolized them); so it was
fitting that the people contribute to building the Temple. Sadly,
after these works were finished, Solomon continued to lay heavy
burdens on the people.