Definition: And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 8:63 together. It's a really significant moment in the Bible! Here’s what it means in plain English: “And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep.” Basically, King Solomon was making a HUGE offering to God. Here's a breakdown of what that involves: “A sacrifice of peace offerings…” : This means he was presenting something to show respect and gratitude to God, rather than a regular offering of food or goods. “…which he offered unto the LORD…” : This is key – it’s to God, not to anyone else. It's a direct plea for favor and blessing from the divine. “Two and twenty thousand oxen…” : This is a really massive number! "Oxen" were large cattle used in sacrifices. “Twenty thousand” means a huge amount of animals – think hundreds or even thousands of oxen! “…and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep.” : This shows how generous Solomon was. He was offering a significant number of sheep as well. So, what’s the big deal? This is part of a larger story about God's relationship with Israel and his covenant with them. It demonstrates: God’s Favor: Solomon’s offering shows how much he valued God’s presence and that he was willing to give back to Him through this act of devotion. A Covenant: The fact that the king dedicated the house of the LORD is a sign of a strong, established covenant – a binding agreement between God and humanity. In short, it's a powerful example of religious dedication and a significant moment in biblical history. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse was important? Connect it to other parts of the Bible? Give you a little more context about Solomon’s reign?