Reading for June 13th

Read 1 Kings 8.1-53
In verses 1-66 the dedication of Temple.
In verse 2 the month of Ethanim, also called Tishri, was in the fall (September-October).
This means that the dedication of the temple occurred nearly a year after its completion, perhaps to coincide with the autumn new year celebration.
In verses 7-8 the ark was carried by poles inside of rings on either of the box that was the ark proper.
The expression to this day may indicate that the writer lived while the Temple was still standing.
In verse 11 the glory of the Lord was the thick cloud that symbolized the Lord's presence.
In verses 12-21 Solomon' speech beginning in this verse is a deuteronomistic composition.
It links the promise to David of a dynasty (2 Sam 7) with that of rest of Israel (Duet 12.11-12).
It therefore identifies the place described in Deuteronomy with Solomon's Temple.
In verses 22-53 Solomon's prayer contains s even petitions, which address various future problems and ask the Lord to heed the prayers made in and toward the Temple.
Scholars debate whether this prayer or part of it comes before exile or after it.
Verses 44-53 in particular are often considered a later expansion of the prayer.
The idea behind the word heritage in v. 53 is that each nation has its own god and each god his own people, the Lord's heritage is Israel.
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