Topical Bible: the First Temple: Defiled and Its Treasures Given by Ahaz to the King of

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Topical Encyclopedia

The First Temple, also known as Solomon's Temple, was the central place of worship for the Israelites and a symbol of God's presence among His people. Constructed under King Solomon's reign, it stood as a testament to Israel's covenant with God. However, throughout its history, the Temple experienced periods of defilement and desecration, particularly during the reign of King Ahaz.

King Ahaz and His Apostasy

King Ahaz of Judah, who reigned from approximately 732 to 716 BC, is noted for his departure from the religious practices established by his forefathers. Unlike his predecessors, Ahaz did not follow the ways of King David. Instead, he engaged in idolatrous practices, which included making molten images for the Baals and burning his children as offerings in the Valley of Ben Hinnom (2 Chronicles 28:1-3). His actions were a direct violation of the covenantal laws given to Israel and led to the spiritual and moral decline of the nation.

Defilement of the Temple

Ahaz's reign marked a significant period of defilement for the First Temple. In his attempt to secure political alliances and military support, Ahaz sought assistance from Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria. To gain favor, Ahaz not only adopted Assyrian religious practices but also desecrated the Temple by altering its sacred elements. He constructed a new altar modeled after one he saw in Damascus and replaced the bronze altar of burnt offering with it (2 Kings 16:10-16). This act of syncretism was a blatant disregard for the sanctity of the Temple and the worship of Yahweh.

Treasures Given to the King of Assyria

In his desperation to appease the Assyrian king, Ahaz stripped the Temple of its treasures. He took silver and gold from the Temple and the royal treasury and sent them as tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III (2 Kings 16:8). This act not only impoverished the Temple but also symbolized the subjugation of Judah to foreign powers. The treasures of the Temple, which were meant to honor God, were instead used to secure the favor of a pagan king, further illustrating Ahaz's departure from faithfulness to God.

Impact on Judah

The defilement of the Temple and the surrendering of its treasures had profound implications for Judah. Ahaz's actions led to a weakening of the nation's spiritual integrity and autonomy. The reliance on Assyria for protection and the incorporation of foreign religious practices eroded the distinct identity of the people of Judah as God's chosen nation. The consequences of Ahaz's reign were felt long after his death, contributing to the eventual downfall of the kingdom.

Biblical Reflection

The account of Ahaz's defilement of the First Temple serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of compromising faith for political expediency. It underscores the importance of maintaining the purity of worship and the centrality of God's presence in the life of His people. The narrative invites reflection on the need for steadfastness in faith and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 16:14,18
And he brought also the brazen altar, which was before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 28:20,21
And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came to him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Kingdom of Judah.
... of Judah by Sennacherib, king of Assyria who at first humiliated Hezekiah ... decline
under Manasseh who reared images to Baal, defiled the temple and overthrew ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiv the kingdom of.htm

The Assumption of Moses
... need to wash it; nor were they defiled by contact ... it now, is divided into two
parts"first, the charge ... 141] the porticoes or cloisters of the temple were burnt ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his ...
... and their conscience being weak is defiled."""But take ... to give additional ornament
to the temple, seeing it ... it more splendidly than at the first ancient altar ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 of the power.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... i. and iii., the whole of the first six chapters ... Galilee, Samaria, and the Philistine
Shephelah, its last eddies ... fell back they plundered the temple of Derketo ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... of a great age,"which departed not from the temple, but served ... [First.] For the first. ...
him, because he had already cast them into sin, defiled their nature ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... Croesus, encouraged by his first success, could not rest ... magistrate, who was held
responsible for its loyalty; the ... number of the columns of that temple at his ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... There were several sins that he was given to, when but a ... beast, and to a wretched
infant in its blood (Job ... Besides, all the first-born of old that were offered ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... and the spirit of grace, do good; nature is defiled even to ... his first walking was
in Eden, there he converted our first parents: 'And ... 'In his temple doth every ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm