1 Kings 7-8: The Temple He Built

The temple of Israel. The pinnacle of earthly achievement for the reign of Solomon. A symbol to the world of Israel's chosenness by God.

It is amazing to see how much went into the building of this structure! More amazing, that Solomon did not concern himself with spending his immense wealth on military campaigns to expand Israel's empire. Instead, he lavishly spared no cost in the temple's construction. Every fine thing he could think of he placed inside its walls (or had the walls themselves made of it!).

Many would say that the temple was the most important accomplishment of Solomon's reign. But while it was certainly the most impressive feat of his kingship, I truly think the peace his reign brought to Israel was the real accomplishment. God didn't need (or possibly even desire!) a temple. He wanted the hearts of His people.

As we often do (and as Peter did, Matthew 17:4!), David wanted to give back to God something wonderful and beautiful. His enthusiasm for God directed itself on the grandest thing he could think of-- a giant fancy house! And while this was such a good intention, it wasn't God's idea. He Himself told David,

It was good enough that this desire was in your heart to build such a temple for my name...

1 Kings 8:18, The Voice

I will admit, I struggle with this. I look at churches today and shake my head at the lack of artistic inspiration behind their structures. Many of our modern American churches are built for the comfort of those who will be coming once a week to Sunday service-- and on the outside they look like giant prison complexes. The artistic part of me wars with the simplicity of the Spirit in me. God does not need ornate columns of solid bronze. He does not need jewels or sacrifices. He doesn't need meeting rooms or a baptistry or air conditioning. He doesn't even need his building to meet fire code! He didn't even need a building period. But didn't God tell someone to build Him a temple?? you might ask. Well, He did command Moses to construct a tabernacle for Him, but we don't see anything about a temple until David asks God if he can build Him one!

I wonder if God liked living in a tent? If the tabernacle was good enough for him because it went where His people went-- because He could always be known among them. He is a God who moves.

But once they put God in a box (even such a marvelous box!)-- the focus began to be more on the box than on God. David wanted Israel to be like the other nations that had permanent temples to their gods. We will read later in the prophets about how the temple is destroyed and the first thing Israel wants to do when they get out of captivity is to rebuild it. Again, great enthusiasm-- albeit misdirected. They desired to honor God by building Him the best house they could imagine (why would they 'allow' God to dwell in a tent when their king dwelt in a palace?). It just doesn't make sense to our earthly minds.

So what did God actually say to David about temple-building?


And it shall be when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be one of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his Father and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, as I took it from him who was before you.

1 Chronicles 17:11-13, NKJV

Hmmm. Now I'm thinking about Jesus-- who said He himself was the temple:

Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you will raise it up in three days?" But He was speaking about the temple of His body.

John 2:19-21, ESV

God has never cared about the things that men see as prestigious or accomplished or even beautiful. He made Himself nothing. He was a man that we would not desire. He came and dwelt among us and we did not know Him. God wasn't concerned with David building Him a temple because He had plans to build Himself a temple-- first in Jesus, then in us. God sees us as far more glorious than any extravagant opulent structure our minds could ever dream up, because we are His workmanship.