Journal Through the Bible: Week 46 Friday

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I Kings chapter 5

David had desired to build a house for God but God had not allowed David to do it since he was a warrior king. In this chapter we read of Solomon's desire to build God a house. Notice that Solomon does not tell Hiram, the king of Tyre, that he desired to build a house unto his father's God, but "I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God."

Faith in God is personal.


Does God issue any commands?

• God did not speak in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?

• Solomon tells Hiram that one reason he desired to build a house to his God was because his God had been faithful to keep the promises made to David, specifically to set one of his sons on the throne who would be given a time of peace so that he could build God a house.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them. Whether or not Jesus was discussing actual building materials is debatable. He could have meant "place" as in "royal standing." Or He might really have meant preparations of our eternal home, which He would speak into existence much as He did our earthly home. In this instance, it doesn't matter. Solomon was building a place for the Sovereign to call His House. All of the materials used where originally spoken into existence by this same Sovereign. We are told that by Jesus all things consist. (See Colossians 1:16-17)

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Even though we can read the description of it, we can only imagine how the Temple of Solomon looked although we know that the people of that day considered it to be a wonder. Even though we can read about it (for instance the brief mention of it in Rev. 11:19), we can only imagine how the Temple of God in Heaven looks although we know that it must be considered by all who see it to be a great wonder!