Topical Encyclopedia Houses of Jerusalem:The city of Jerusalem, central to biblical history, is often depicted as a place of significant architectural and spiritual importance. The "houses of Jerusalem" refer not only to the physical dwellings but also to the symbolic and spiritual structures that played a role in the life of the Israelites. Jerusalem, known as the City of David, became the political and spiritual center of Israel under King David. The construction of the Temple by Solomon, David's son, marked a pivotal moment in the city's history. The Temple served as the dwelling place of God among His people and was the focal point of Jewish worship and sacrifice. In 1 Kings 6:1, the Berean Standard Bible states, "In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD." The houses of Jerusalem also included the royal palaces and the homes of the city's inhabitants. The city was fortified with walls, and its strategic location made it a target for various conquests throughout history. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the houses of Jerusalem in the context of judgment and restoration, highlighting the city's moral and spiritual state (Isaiah 22:10): "You counted the houses of Jerusalem and tore them down to strengthen the wall." Throughout the biblical narrative, the houses of Jerusalem symbolize both the faithfulness and the failings of God's people. The destruction and subsequent rebuilding of the city and its houses serve as a metaphor for the spiritual renewal and redemption offered by God. Kings of Judah: The Kings of Judah were the monarchs who ruled over the southern kingdom of Judah after the division of the united monarchy of Israel. This division occurred following the reign of Solomon, when his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. The kingdom of Judah, with its capital in Jerusalem, was distinct from the northern kingdom of Israel. The kings of Judah were descendants of David, fulfilling God's promise to David that his lineage would endure. In 2 Samuel 7:16 , God declares, "Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever." This Davidic covenant underscored the theological significance of the Judean monarchy. The reigns of the kings of Judah varied in terms of faithfulness to God. Some kings, like Hezekiah and Josiah, were noted for their reforms and efforts to return the nation to the worship of Yahweh. Hezekiah's trust in God during the Assyrian siege is recorded in 2 Kings 19:15-19 , where he prays for deliverance, and God responds by protecting Jerusalem. Conversely, other kings, such as Manasseh and Amon, led the people into idolatry and disobedience, provoking God's judgment. The spiritual state of the nation often mirrored the actions of its king, as seen in 2 Kings 21:9 : "But the people did not listen, and Manasseh led them astray to do more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites." The line of kings continued until the Babylonian conquest, which resulted in the exile of the Judean people and the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Despite this, the hope of a future king from David's line persisted, ultimately fulfilled in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus Christ, who is recognized as the eternal King in the line of David. Subtopics Houses in Cities, Built in Streets Houses of Brick or Clay: Easily Broken Through Houses of Brick or Clay: Often Swept Away by Torrents Houses of Brick or Clay: Plastered Houses of Criminals, Desolated Houses: (Building of) of Great Prosperity Houses: (Built and not Inhabited) of Calamity Houses: (Insecurity of) of Earthly Trust Houses: (On a Rock) the Hope of Saints Houses: (On Sand) the Delusive Hope of Hypocrites Houses: (To Inhabit Those, Built by Others) Abundant Feelings Houses: Accessible from the Outside Houses: Admission To, Gained by Knocking at the Door Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Ceiled and Painted Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Hung With Rich Tapestries Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Inlaid With Ivory Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Large and Airy Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Warmed With Fires Houses: Built of Hewn or Cut Stone Houses: Built of Stone and Wood Houses: Custom of Fastening Nails, in Walls of, Alluded To Houses: Deep and Solid Foundations Required For Houses: Desolation of, Threatened As a Punishment Houses: Divided Into Apartments Houses: Doors of, How Fastened Houses: Doors of, Low and Small for Safety Houses: Entered by a Gate or Door Houses: had often Detached Apartments for Secrecy and for Strangers Houses: had often Several Stories Houses: Law Respecting the Sale of Houses: Often Broken Down to Repair City Walls Before Sieges Houses: Often Built on City Walls Houses: Serpents often Lodged in Walls of Houses: Sometimes Built Without Foundation Houses: Street Windows of, High and Dangerous Houses: The Courts of, Large and Used As Apartments Houses: The Flat Roofs of had often Booths on Them Houses: The Flat Roofs of had often Idolatrous Altars on Them Houses: The Flat Roofs of Often Covered With Week Grass Houses: The Flat Roofs of Resorted to in Grief Houses: The Flat Roofs of Surrounded With Battlements Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Devotion Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Drying Flax Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Exercise Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Making Proclamations Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Secret Conference Houses: Upper Apartments of, the Best, and Used for Entertainments Houses: when Finished Were Usually Dedicated Related Terms |
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