We’re concluding the book of Ecclesiastes today which was written by King Solomon. Keep in mind that we are reading the Old Testament chronologically, and when we’ve finished this book, we’ll be back in 2 Chronicles and 1 Kings, covering the rest of Solomon’s life. As you may have already heard, two major themes of the book of Ecclesiastes are the ideas of futility and humility. Though Solomon had almost every resource at his fingertips, he could not do all the things he wanted and though he could find pleasure, he could not find ultimate fulfillment in the things of earth. In all his searching, he ultimately concludes that men should enjoy life, fear God and keep his commands.

Ecclesiastes 8 - 1:03 . 

Ecclesiastes 9 - 4:36 . 

Ecclesiastes 10 - 9:44 . 

Ecclesiastes 11 - 12:31 . 

Ecclesiastes 12 - 14:17 . 

Psalm 114 - 17:15 . 

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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As we continue our chronological reading of the Old Testament, we’re spending some time in the book of Ecclesiastes which was written by King Solomon. With all of his wealth, fame and wisdom, Solomon discerned that these things could not ultimately extend one’s life or even necessarily make it better. No matter what a person may accomplish, one day he will die. In today’s reading Solomon considers the rhythms of life, the nature of death and eternity, justice and injustice, authentic religion, and wealth. Our reading concludes with wise sayings in chapter 7, including proverbs, meditations on moderation, and the limitations of wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 3 - 1:04 . 

Ecclesiastes 4 - 4:32 . 

Ecclesiastes 5 - 7:24 . 

Ecclesiastes 6 - 12:21 . 

Ecclesiastes 7 - 14:49 . 

Psalm 113 - 19:41 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Today, we’re going to be in four different books of the Old Testament, which makes this episode the record-holder in number of places. Don’t worry, though: it’s not any longer than the average episode. In 2 Chronicles and 1 Kings we’ll cover Solomon’s imposition of forced labor over non-Israelites and the initial institution of worship in the Lord’s temple. From there, we’ll transition to the book of Ecclesiastes, a wisdom book written by King Solomon. In it, the king tests the bounds of all that could be seen as valuable to men, and finds them all to be empty without God at the center. Finally, we’ll read a short Psalm.

2 Chronicles 8 - 1:07 . 

1 Kings 9 - 4:44 . 

Ecclesiastes 1 - 10:47 . 

Ecclesiastes 2 - 13:40 . 

Psalm 112 - 19:19 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Solomon has finished the work of building the temple and the ark of the covenant is now in the newly constructed room known as the most holy place. The priests have consecrated themselves and will worship the Lord through music. Solomon prays to the Lord before the nation of Israel, asking God to hear their prayers, reminding the people through his prayer that God resides in heaven, and is not confined to the walls of the temple. At the conclusion of his prayer, the temple fills with a cloud and with the Lord’s glory to such a degree that the priests are not able to continue ministering. The Lord responds to Solomon by reaffirming his commitment to David’s lineage so long as they are faithful to His statutes.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Today’s reading contains the second-longest chapter in all of Scripture, which is 1 Kings chapter 8, and it’s long for a great reason: King Solomon gets excited and is full of prayer and praise as he conducts the first worship gathering at the Lord’s temple. Though the tabernacle existed before the temple, this is the first permanent structure built for the worship of God in a particular geographic location. As you can imagine, it’s a pretty big deal. The party lasts for two full weeks, after which the Lord appears to Solomon a second time echoing both the blessings and curses he gave to Moses before him.

2 Chronicles 5 - 1:05 . 

1 Kings 8 - 4:18 . 

Psalm 110 - 18:18 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Today we’ll conclude our readings about the construction of the Lord’s temple and the king’s palace built under Solomon’s rule, stopping short of the dedication of the temple which we’ll begin in our next episode. Remember, before the construction of this temple, Israel had worshipped the Lord under the tabernacle, a mobile worship center comprised of varying poles, beams, curtains, cloths, and furniture that could be packed up and moved from site to site as they traversed the wilderness. This grand temple complex mirrored the layout of the tabernacle but was decidedly more permanent, marking a turning point in Israel’s history. 

2 Chronicles 3 - 1:05 . 

2 Chronicles 4 - 4:04 . 

1 Kings 7 - 7:56 . 

Psalm 108 - 16:56 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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We finished Song of Songs in our last episode which means we are back into the narrative of King Solomon. As always, the Lord God makes good on His promises, and Solomon flourishes under the Lord’s lavish provision. Blessed with peace on every side and abundant wealth, Solomon sets His mind on things above and gets to work. Knowing that the Lord had promised David a son who would come from his family and would establish God’s house forever, Solomon builds a center of worship for God that reflects the plans for the original tabernacle. In work, wealth, and worship, Solomon is a foreshadow of the Son of David who would establish a greater kingdom where God is worshipped by the nations and the people dwell with Him in peace.

2 Chronicles 2 - 1:05 . 

1 Kings 5 - 5:39 . 

1 Kings 6 - 9:42 . 

Psalm 108 - 16:17 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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As mentioned at the beginning of our last episode, we’re taking a brief hiatus from the narrative of Solomon to read through Song of Songs. This continues in line with our chronological reading of the Old Testament. The Lord created mankind in his image as male and female, and from the beginning the joys of sex were part of his design for humanity. Speaking of Adam and Eve’s union in the Garden of Eden, it says in Genesis 2:24-25 “This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. Both the man and his wife were naked, yet felt no shame.”

Song of Songs 5 - 1:02 . 

Song of Songs 6 - 4:11 . 

Song of Songs 7 - 7:46 . 

Song of Songs 8 - 10:07 . 

Psalm 107 - 13:17 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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We’re taking a brief hiatus from the narrative of Solomon to read through Song of Songs, which was either written for Solomon or written by Solomon. This is a song about the thrills of love, marriage, and sexual intimacy. In our overly sexualized society, the moral pendulum can sometimes swing to the other side until we wrongly treat sex as something that is to be shunned or ashamed of. God created sex to be enjoyable, exhilarating, and exclusive between a man and a woman in the covenant of marriage. This short book includes a lot of symbolic imagery and innuendo, so if you ever wonder: does that mean what I think it means? The answer is probably, yes!

Song of Songs 1 - 1:02 . 

Song of Songs 2 - 3:59 . 

Song of Songs 3 - 8:02 . 

Song of Songs 4 - 10:08 . 

Psalm 106 - 13:30 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In our last episode, Solomon’s brother Adonijah tried to take the throne while David was on his death bed. His plan failed, and Solomon successfully ascended to the throne. During the attempted coup, Adonijah recruited Abiathar the priest and Joab, David’s former commander. Since then, Adonijah has been executed, Abiathar has been banished, and today. Joab will be executed. Later, the Lord appears to King Solomon in a dream, and instead of asking for wealth or long life, he asks the Lord for wisdom to lead God’s people. This pleases the Lord, who promises blessing upon Solomon’s reign, including both wisdom and wealth.

1 Kings 2:28 - 1:08 . 

1 Kings 3 - 5:16 . 

1 Kings 4 - 11:37 . 

2 Chronicles 1 - 16:55 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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