Daily Devotional for Thursday, March 13

The Sacrifices

“On the eighth day he sent the people away; and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the Lord had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people,” 1 Kings 8:66.

The dedication celebration had gone on for an entire week. The king led the nation of Israel in sacrificing, praising, prayer and thanksgiving to God for all His blessings and faithfulness to them. The ark of the covenant was at rest. God’s glory had filled the house, “And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifices before the Lord” (1 Kings 8:62).

During that event, the largest offering of animal sacrifices ever made was presented unto the Lord. Solomon offered a peace-offering which generally coincided with festivals. The peace-offering was a voluntary expression of thankfulness from a grateful heart. Solomon sacrificed 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep! The king led the people by example with his generosity. The brazen altar could hold approximately 24,000 gallons, but it was not sufficient for the sacrifices that day. Solomon dedicated the middle of the court to accommodate all the sacrifices. 

The celebration continued for the next seven days with the Feast of Tabernacles. As a time of rejoicing, the nation certainly had a reason to rejoice at this time in her history. Dwelling in booths or tents was God’s way of reminding them of the forty years of wandering in the wilderness and His provisions. God had been faithful to every promise He had made. The nation was at rest. The nation had a permanent house to worship God. The people blessed the king and “went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the Lord had done” (1 Kings 8:66).

REFLECTION

“Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord” (Psalm 4:5).

Karen Meigs