In the fourth year the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid, in the month of Ziv. And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eight month, the house was finished throughout all its parts and according to all its plans. So he was seven years building it. (verse 37-38)
Message: Solomon Builds the Palace
Time: The author of 1&2 Kings (originally 1 book) is not known. First Kings follows the history of this divided kingdom from the death of David around 971 BC through the year 853 BC. First Kings reveals Solomon’s relationship with Yahweh and introduces the prophet Elijah who pronounces judgment on the evil northern king Ahab. Like other books, it helps us to understand the history of Israel and Judah.
What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 6 records the building of the temple with the chapter ending that the temple was finished in 7 years - a number of completion and perfection in the Bible. Chapter 7 begins the record of Solomon's palace.
The Tabletalk devotional I read is somewhat critical of Solomon and remarks that because it took 13 years for Solomon to build his palace that this must mean that he had a greater concern for his palace over the temple. And his palace was larger. I am not sure I would come to the same conclusion. I am thinking that the temple was the priority and so he made sure to focus on it while his palace was larger and it had multiple uses. The use of the temple was more singular.
I do agree that achieving this balance between things of God and things of man is difficult. At times, it seems selfish to do anything for self and all time must be spent on things of God. Maybe I place this expectation on myself but it is hard to know the correct balance in life. From reading to studying to time worked.
Summary: The Temple is completed in 7 years. Solomon's palace is completed in 13 years. The Temple was first to be completed and the priority. The palace had multiple functions and was larger.
Promise: We must balance our concern toward the things of God with concern toward our own matters.
Prayer: Lord God, I need your wisdom. I notice a tendency in my age to get distracted more and to be have more that I feel involved in and more that I feel like is a priority. Yesterday, I went through papers and saw documents with lots of information I had prepared and wondered if I am as productive today. Help me God. There are so many things I feel a need to do. Even in the morning, when my mind is clear I have a need to get up and study and yet I sleep and when I arise have little time. It is a struggle for me continually. And I know my self-talk is poor. Help me to balance God.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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