God secured rest on every side of Israel, and now it was time for Solomon to build God’s temple. Solomon sent word, along with a servant, to King Hiram to ask for timber for constructing the temple. King Hiram agrees to this, and in exchange, Solomon provides food for King Hiram’s table. In 1 Chronicles, David addresses ALL the Officials of Israel, Princes of Tribes, Commanders, his sons, and Israel’s valiant men. David tells them his plans to build a temple for the Lord, yet the Lord tells him no because he was a man of war and bloodshed. God wanted David’s son Solomon to be on the throne after David and to be the one to build the temple. God chose Solomon because he would be a man of rest (Solomon’s name means rest/peaceable or one who recompenses and gives back). God specifically entrusted Solomon to build the temple, and David made that known publicly.
David instructs Solomon, saying, “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act. Then David gave to his son Solomon the plan of the porch of the temple, its buildings, its storehouses, its upper rooms, its inner rooms, and the room for the atoning cover.”
The Lord gave David the plan, and Solomon was obedient to fulfill it! Nevertheless, the temple building was a considerable undertaking; many people were necessary for completing this project: 30,000 forced labourers, 80,000 transporters, and 3,300 foremen.
It took seven years to build, yet Solomon remained steadfast to follow through with every detail. God had given Solomon a task, and Solomon was obedient until completion. Like God called Solomon, He also calls us to be obedient to follow His ways, but the call on our lives doesn’t end in seven years; it has no end. Repeatedly, Solomon was warned to be obedient to the Lord and follow God’s instructions ALONE. Solomon’s heart turned away from the Lord some years after the temple was built.
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 2-4.
We need to heed these warnings so that we don’t turn away from the Lord! We know that He is faithful, and through His indwelling Life, we can persevere in the life we are called to until the end.
By: Rebekah Thudian
