This is the Bible Book Club. I'm Heather and I'm Susan. And we're in the book of First Kings. Welcome to the club.

Last time in episode six, Solomon planned a big move-in day for the temple. It was a massive two-week celebration that began

with the arcs placement in the most holy place. Once the priest had withdrawn from the temple,

the cloud filled it, concealing the glory of the Lord. Solomon praised the Lord for his covenant

love and then prayed for the people. It was a beautiful blessing.

So in this episode, the nation is still gathered for the dedication of the temple, which Solomon

planned to coincide with the Feast of Tabernacles, which was one of the annual feast commanded

by God in numbers. It was a celebration to commemorate the 40 years Israel wandered in the wilderness.

So in scene one, Solomon offers sacrifices at the temple.

We are in 1st Kings chapter 8, continuing in verse 62.

Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the Lord.

Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to the Lord,

22,000 cattle, and 120,000 sheep and goats. So, the king and all the Israelites dedicated the temple

of the Lord. On that same day, the king consecrated the middle part of the courtyard in front of the temple of the Lord.

There, he offered burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of the fellowship offerings,

because the bronze altar that stood before the Lord was too small to hold the burnt offerings,

the grain offerings, and the fat of the fellowship offerings. So Solomon

observed the festival at that time, and all Israel with him, a vast assembly, people from Libo Hamath

to the Wadi of Egypt. They celebrated it before the Lord our God for seven days and seven more,

14 days in all. On the following day,

he sent the people away. They blessed the king and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all

the good things the Lord had done for his servant David and his people Israel. The dedication celebration

...