Evangelicia

Alicia's Bible Blog

 

 

1 Kings 3:4 "And [Solomon] went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was a great high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings upon that altar."

 

Before Solomon built the temple, the people worshiped God and offered their sacrifices in "high places." Gibeon was the most important of these, and the new king Solomon went there frequently to offer sacrifice and praise. It was at Gibeon that the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream asking what Solomon would have from God, and Solomon asked for understanding. (1 Kings 3:5-9). 

 

God is everywhere, of course, but there is a special closeness to Him at His places of worship, where His presence is felt more strongly. Solomon found that at this "high place" of Gibeon, and he visited God frequently there. Later, when Solomon builds the temple, God will promise that He will dwell there (1 Kings 9:3), and the people will always know where to go to be closer to God. For our part, Jesus is present in every tabernacle of every Catholic church in the world, so we always know where to go to be closer to God, as well.

 

God will give us messages whenever and wherever He desires, but if we don't frequent His places of worship we might not be able or willing to hear them, and He may be less likely to give them to us. God came to offer Solomon whatever he wanted at a place of worship. If Solomon had been ignoring God, never visiting Him, God would not have had a message for Solomon, nor would Solomon have been able to receive it. Rather, Solomon's frequent visits to Gideon showed Solomon's faith, and made him more likely to hear from and understand God when God had something to offer him.