1 Kings 5

Zeal for the Lord's house consumed David. But by the Lord's instruction, the construction of the temple in Jerusalem would not be accomplished by David. Solomon would build this great building.

God had given Solomon peace on every side. According to God's description of Israel during Solomon's reign, there was “neither adversary nor misfortune.” This glorious king would oversee the construction of a holy house that would be inhabited by the Lord God Almighty. Solomon believed the Word of God that came to his father, David. He would build a house for the Name of the Lord.

The old movable worship house of God, the tabernacle, was built according to the Lord's explicit instruction to Moses based on the pattern shown to him on the mountain of God. Now, about 500 years later, a more impressive dwelling place would be made from the cedars of Lebanon. This would be accomplished under the oversight of the new king of Israel.

God provided the materials necessary from a neighbor to the north. Instead of war, there was peaceful trade conducted with much joy. God granted to Solomon great wisdom and the gift of peace. The king used these gifts to do a great work for God.

The timber and the stone necessary for the building of the temple came to Jerusalem through the labor of many hands. It was part of the glory of God working through this great king that thousands of Israelites and many people of other nations did their part in order to supply everything that was necessary.

The old tabernacle had its day, and now the day for the temple in Jerusalem had come. Yet this temple would not last forever. A new day would come hundreds of years later when another descendant of David would say these words to His disciples about the temple in Jerusalem, “Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” He also would speak of His own body in this way, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The resurrected body of Christ would be a temple of God for a new world.

Jesus, the Son of God, would build up this new temple, of which He Himself became the Cornerstone. Even now we are being built up into a great temple of the Holy Spirit as the body of Christ. This great new worship house is made up of people from all over the earth. The destiny of mankind is being fulfilled in our day as Jesus is overseeing from heaven a more glorious work than anything that Solomon could have ever accomplished in Jerusalem.

The greatest King of Glory uses us in His plans. He sees the beginning, the end, and all the steps along the way in His great endeavor. It is our joy to be able to serve Him and to wait for His victorious return. It is our privilege to be His church, “the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:23)