1 Kings 7:1-2 (ESV)
Solomon Builds His Palace
Solomon was building his own house thirteen years,
and he finished his entire house.
He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon. Its length was a hundred cubits and its breadth fifty cubits and its height thirty cubits, and it was built on four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams on the pillars.
Solomon spent 7 years building the Temple and 13 years building his own palace. Solomon’s was bigger. You can see the comparison by the chart below.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/33/a7/00/33a700725d894834275f3e93b99a00e4.jpg
However, the comparison is not fair. God prescribed the exact measurements of His Temple. Every detail was based upon the configuration of what Moses told them all to build years ago in the Tabernacle. When Solomon built his house he had no limitations. However, it does seem odd that the he would outdo the Temple. God does not condemn this and neither should we. It might just be wise for us to understand that God’s Temple is still filled with God’s glory and our buildings are not. God now fills our hearts with His glory. But we do try to outdo one another with our homes and our status. There is no indication that Solomon did this to promote himself. As stated, God does not condemn this. God will, later after this Temple is destroyed, condemn Solomon’s descendants about their living in paneled homes why His house still lays in ruin.
Haggai 1:4 (ESV)
“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?
Our priorities are often reflected by what we build and how we accommodate ourselves. When the early church was being built (not a building) people sold their properties to bring support to each other:
Acts 2:44-45 (ESV)
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
What we hold in our hearts is our priorities.
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