1 Kings 6:14

So Solomon built the house, and finished it.

So Solomon {H8010} built {H1129} the house {H1004}, and finished {H3615} it.

So Shlomo finished building the house.

So Solomon built the temple and finished it.

So Solomon built the house, and finished it.

Commentary

1 Kings 6:14 marks a significant milestone in the biblical narrative: the successful completion of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. This concise verse, "So Solomon built the house, and finished it," encapsulates years of monumental effort, immense resources, and divine guidance, culminating in the establishment of God's primary dwelling place among His people in Israel.

Context

The construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem was one of the defining achievements of King Solomon's reign. This grand undertaking, detailed throughout 1 Kings Chapter 5 and Chapter 6, was a fulfillment of the covenant promise made to King David, Solomon's father, that his son would build a house for the Lord. The construction involved vast quantities of precious materials, skilled craftsmen from Tyre, and forced labor, taking seven years to complete (1 Kings 6:38). Just prior to this verse, God delivers a conditional promise to Solomon, emphasizing that His presence in the Temple was contingent upon Solomon's continued obedience to His statutes and judgments (1 Kings 6:11-13). Verse 14 serves as a powerful summary statement, confirming that Solomon upheld his part of the covenant by bringing the sacred structure to its completion.

Key Themes

  • Completion and Fulfillment: The verse highlights the successful conclusion of a divinely ordained project. It signifies the fulfillment of God's plan to have a permanent sanctuary for His name in Jerusalem, a place where His glory could dwell.
  • Divine Presence: The "house" (Hebrew: bayit) built by Solomon was not merely an impressive edifice but was intended to be the physical manifestation of God's dwelling among His people. Its completion marked a new era of God's tangible presence with Israel.
  • Solomon's Obedience and Leadership: While the construction was a massive collective effort, the verse credits Solomon as the one who "built" and "finished" it, underscoring his pivotal role in leading this monumental task in obedience to God's commands and his father David's wishes.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "built" (ื‘ึผึธื ึธื”, banah) simply means to construct or erect. The verb for "finished" (ื›ึผึธืœึธื”, kalah) implies bringing something to completion, perfecting it, or bringing it to an end. Together, they convey the idea of a project thoroughly and successfully brought to its intended conclusion, not merely abandoned or left incomplete. The term "house" (ื‘ึผึทื™ึดืช, bayit) here emphatically refers to the Temple, God's sacred dwelling place, distinct from a common residence.

Practical Application

The completion of the Temple offers several timeless lessons:

  • Perseverance in God's Work: Solomon's seven-year endeavor reminds us of the importance of diligence and perseverance in fulfilling divine callings. God's work often requires sustained effort and commitment.
  • God's Faithfulness: The Temple's completion is a testament to God's faithfulness in bringing His plans and promises to fruition. Just as He enabled Solomon to finish the Temple, He empowers believers today to complete the tasks He sets before them.
  • Significance of God's Dwelling: While the physical Temple no longer stands, the New Testament teaches that believers, both individually and corporately, are now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19). This verse encourages us to maintain the integrity and sanctity of our spiritual "house" for God's indwelling presence.

This monumental achievement culminated in the Temple's dedication, a pivotal event marking the central role of this sacred structure in Israelite worship and national life.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 6:38 (5 votes)

    And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which [is] the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.

  • 1 Kings 6:9 (5 votes)

    So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar.

  • Acts 7:47 (2 votes)

    But Solomon built him an house.

  • Acts 7:48 (2 votes)

    Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,