Solomon
June 3
1 Kings 5:1-7, 6:11-14
The Temple is built
King Hiram had always been a friend of King David. When he heard that David had died and that Solomon was King, he sent some of his men to go meet with him. Then Solomon sent a message back with the men, saying; “God did not allow my father to build the Temple, but He did promise that his son would build it. So I have decided to build the Temple. I need the help of your men to bring me cedar wood from Lebanon.”
King Hiram was pleased to help. He got his men to chop down trees, which they floated down the coast. From there, the wood was carried to the building site. Solomon built the Temple with strong stone walls lined from top to bottom with cedar wood on the inside.
And the Lord said, “If you obey all My laws and commands, I will do what I promised. I will live here among My people in this Temple and I will never abandon them.”
What has happened to God’s Temple?
The Temple that Solomon built was not only beautiful; its walls were made of huge blocks of stone. It was built to last! Yet, we read in 2 Chronicles 36:19 that the Temple was completely destroyed by the Babylonians.
Although the Temple was rebuilt many years later, it was never as beautiful as the Temple Solomon built. Many who had seen the first Temple wept when they saw how much smaller the new Temple was going to be (Ezra 3:12). And even this Temple was destroyed (Luke 21:6).
Are you also sad that God doesn’t have a beautiful, big Temple to live in anymore? God doesn’t need a Temple built with stones. He lives in the most beautiful Temple of all—in the hearts of those who love Him (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Verse for today
"We heard him say, `I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.’” Mark 14:58
