Lecture 6: January 20, 2011

Dr. Cargill showed us 2 Samuel 7-The Promise to David. This is perhaps the most important verse within the Hebrew Bible for Messianism. The role of the Prophet in todays society is the Press, for example. The Press (We, Scholars, Citizens) have the right to challenge what is said. Back then, the Prophets were the one talking to the Monarchy.

According to the text, there is an eternal promise to David that the monarchy will never fade away and that there will be a ruler on the throne of David forever. I found it shocking that the promise never was made. However, this promise is later reinterpreted--there must be some sort of alternate plan. 2 Samuel 7 is the reason as to why David is called the Son of Jesus. We read 1 Chronricles 21:28-22:10--in this passage, God gives a reason as to why David couldn't build a house for the Lord. This rationale was because he had killed a lot of people.

When looking at Solomon's Prayer of Dedication, The temple used to be where the God lived. In 1 Kings 8:12-21, God physically dwells in the temple--this will change. However, at the end, a placed in provided in the Ark.  There is a tradition that Soloman wrote the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Having no knowledge of what the Song of Songs was, I found it shocking.

There is no real achaelogical evidence that Soloman's Temple existed. The big question is-Is the Absence of Evidence, Evidence of Absence? Because there is no evidence of the first temple in Jerusalem, does this mean it was never there? It doesn't mean something didn't exist, there just isn't evidence. Therefore, conclusions should not be drawn.

Dr. Cargill showed us an image of the Tel Megiddo. When you dig through a tel, you can actually see the layers. He also was telling us about the differences of opinions within Scholars. I found this very interesting. Also, Excavations of the Ophel were opposted by Jewish Rabbis and Authorities.

Lastly in class, we looked at Solomon's temple and compared it to other temples. With Solomon's Temple, the Ark of the Covenant would have been in the back (There was also a main part in the front). There is a front porch with numerous symbolic images in the front. Solomon's temple was compared to Boaz and Jachin. Jachin means "Ya has established" Where Boaz means "Strength". There are 2 pillars on both sides going to the temple. Scholars have argued that what is being seen isn't necessarily as later Jewish religion, but early precursors to the Israelite faith.