1 Kings 6

Today's Passage: 1 Kings 6

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In the case of 1 Kings 6, it’s precisely 1,028 words. The image below shows graphically what this chapter is trying to describe verbally. Obviously, however, it doesn’t do justice to the real thing.

Solomon’s temple was a marvel to the ancient world. A magnificent, but fractional, representation of the beauty and glory of God. It was the central place of worship for God’s people and a beacon that all the world may see and experience the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The listing of materials and construction show the care and cost of such a great structure.

In all the discussion of materials, construction, etc. notice what matters most to the Lord. “Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon, ‘Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel.’” Despite the beauty and grandeur of God’s dwelling, what mattered most was obedience and walking in line with God’s heart.

The Temple was a source of pride in Israel—as well it should be for the wealth and architectural achievement it represents. In human terms, it was a wonder. Unfortunately, as time went on, this attitude lingered. Historically, we know that Israel majored on pride and performance and minored on obedience to God’s Word at a heart level.

At the risk of allegorizing this text, consider from a New Testament perspective what it means that Christ-followers are a Temple of God (1 Cor 3:16–17). What does this passage regarding God’s heart reflect as we consider our own bodies as the dwelling place for God? The obvious answer has to be God cares way more about our heart than external religion or personal vanity. He cares that we know his heart through the Word and apply it to our lives—aligning our hearts to his.

One of the striking things on this passage is the amount of detail given. In the same way, God is big enough that he also cares about the small details of our lives. To think God doesn’t care or that “he’s got bigger fish to fry,” is to minimize his ability to intimately and intricately know us, our lives, and our struggles.

God is a promise-maker, and promise-keeper (“…which I spoke to David…”). Let us be a people that take God at his Word, that we walk in his statutes and obey his rules that he may dwell in us, individually, but also corporately through his Church. I’m reminded of the Moody quote, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him.” May we be a magnificent, but fractional, representation of the beauty and glory of God.

Written By: Tyler Short

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