1 Kings 7:1-8:11

1 Kings 7:1-8:11

After completion of the Temple, Solomon went to work on building his own house. Now you might be shocked to see that it took him 13 years to complete, but I think part of that is due to the fact that Solomon did not live alone. He probably had countless servants, and we know that he had many wives (probably several at this point). So he had to make accommodations for all that lived with or around him. Whereas the Temple was just one main building, extravagant as it was, Solomon’s dwellings were probably much larger. One person that he made provisions for was Pharaoh’s daughter, whom he had taken in previously.


One of Solomon’s final tasks was to make all the various instruments and furnishings that belonged in the Temple. In Exodus, when God outlined how the Tabernacle was to be built, He also gave Moses instructions on what was to go into the Tabernacle (such as instruments that would be used for sacrifices and altars and tables). Solomon once again hired Hiram to help him in constructing these various instruments and furnishings for the Temple. Once they were all completed, Solomon had them all brought inside the Temple, and the Temple was not only built but also ready to use. The people of Israel had a permanent place in which they could go and worship and sacrifice to God.

The final step in this long project was to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple where it belonged. Solomon assembled a great number of men to retrieve the Ark and bring it from the Tabernacle to the new Temple. Along the way, the people of Israel entered into a time of worship as they sacrificed to God. 1 Kings 8 says that the people sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not count how many had been sacrificed. The people of Israel were truly thankful for all God had done for them, and they knew that they were a blessed people. Once the Ark was put in its place in the Holy of Holies, God’s glory filled the room, as He found His place in the Temple.

This scene is such a beautiful picture of what it means to follow God. Although we may encounter various trials in life, we know that God is always with us. He will guide us through any situation in life. He blesses us in ways that we sometimes fail to recognize in the moment, but we should never forget all that He does for us. The people of Israel were so grateful for what God had done for them that they were willing to sacrifice countless sheep and oxen. What are we willing to sacrifice to express our gratitude to God? Do we realize how much He blesses us each day, or do we take those blessings for granted? Just as God dwelt among the people of Israel in the Temple, He dwells inside each of us who are His children. He has sent the Holy Spirit to live inside of us to help guide us through life. Think about that! We have an amazing relationship with our Lord! He dwells within us, guides us through lives, and blesses us beyond measure. Sure life is hard, but we must never forget to praise God and thank Him for all that He does for us on a daily basis.

Matt