1 Kings 6 -- What's This In The Middle?

Right in the middle of this chapter about the building of the Temple is what seems to be a paragraph having nothing to do with that construction project:

 

“The Lord said to Solomon: ‘If you obey all my laws and commands, I will do for you what I promised your father David.  I will live among the Israelites in this Temple, and I will never leave My people Israel.’ “

 

My commentary wondered if Solomon might have been getting discouraged about the building progress, or more likely might have started exhibiting pride at what he was accomplishing.  It said, “The Lord reminded Solomon, as He must constantly remind us, that He’s not impressed with our work if our walk isn’t obedient to Him.  What He wants is an obedient heart … This was the second time God spoke to Solomon about obedience and He would speak to him about it again after the dedication of the Temple.”

 

It sure puts a lot of personal responsibility on Solomon.  God was saying He would live with the people in the Temple and never leave if SOLOMON obeys.  But as I’ve been noticing, Solomon already was having a problem with that, and all of this labor and expense was going to end up being for nothing.

 

I did love one thing my commentary brought out – David’s two greatest sins were his adultery with Bathsheba and his counting of the people when God had forbidden it.  After the latter, he purchased land to build an altar at the spot where God halted the death angel.  After the former, David married Bathsheba and eventually had a son by her named Solomon.  “Now we have Solomon building a temple on David’s property on Mount Moriah!  God took the consequences of David’s two worst sins … and built a temple!  … It’s an encouragement to us to go on serving God after we’ve repented and confessed our sins.  Satan wants us to think that all is lost, but the God of all grace is still at work.”

 

Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy.  Thank You that I can see You continuing to work in my own life despite my sins.  Thank You for always wanting us back, despite our sins, and for calling us to obedience.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford