1 Kings 6:14

KJV

So Solomon built the house, and finished it.

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

So Shlomo finished building the house.

Berean Standard Bible

So Solomon built the temple and finished it.

American Standard Version

So Solomon built the house, and finished it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 6:14 succinctly records the monumental achievement of King Solomon: the successful completion of the First Temple in Jerusalem. This concise declaration, "So Solomon built the house, and finished it," marks the culmination of seven years of intense labor, vast resources, and divine guidance, signifying the establishment of God's permanent dwelling place among His people and the fulfillment of a long-held divine promise to the Davidic dynasty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a powerful summary statement, concluding the detailed architectural descriptions and construction accounts found in [1 Kings Chapter 6](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Construction of Solomon's Temple"). It immediately follows God's conditional promise to Solomon in [1 Kings 6:11-13](/1_kings/6-11 "1 Kings 6:11-13 - God's Conditional Promise to Solomon"), where the Lord assures His presence among Israel if Solomon remains obedient. The completion of the Temple, as stated in [1 Kings 6:14](/1_kings/6-14 "1 Kings 6:14 - Solomon Completes the Temple") and further detailed with its seven-year timeline in [1 Kings 6:38](/1_kings/6-38 "1 Kings 6:38 - Completion Time of the Temple"), signifies Solomon's initial faithfulness in fulfilling the divine mandate and the covenant promise made to his father, David, that his son would build a house for the Lord ([2 Samuel 7:13](/2_samuel/7-13 "2 Samuel 7:13 - God's Covenant with David Regarding the Temple")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Temple was the defining project of King Solomon's reign, a period of unprecedented peace, wealth, and international influence for Israel. This undertaking involved immense logistical challenges, requiring vast quantities of precious materials like cedar and cypress from Lebanon, gold from Ophir, and quarried stone, as detailed in [1 Kings Chapter 5](/1_kings/5 "1 Kings 5 - Preparations for Building the Temple"). Solomon leveraged alliances, particularly with Hiram, King of Tyre, who provided skilled Phoenician craftsmen, including the master artisan Hiram, and timber. The project also relied on a system of forced labor (corvée) from both Israelites and conquered peoples. The Temple's completion established Jerusalem as the undisputed religious and political capital, centralizing Israelite worship and solidifying the Davidic monarchy's legitimacy and divine favor in the ancient Near Eastern context where grand temples were symbols of national power and divine blessing.
* **Key Themes:** The completion of the Temple in [1 Kings 6:14](/1_kings/6-14 "1 Kings 6:14 - Solomon Completes the Temple") underscores several major themes. Firstly, it highlights **Completion and Fulfillment**, marking the successful conclusion of a divinely ordained project and the realization of God's long-standing plan to have a permanent sanctuary for His name in Jerusalem, a place where His glory could dwell among His people. Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Presence**, as the "house" was not merely an impressive edifice but was intended to be the physical manifestation of God's tangible presence, echoing His earlier command to build a sanctuary so He might dwell among them ([Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Instruction to Build a Sanctuary")). Finally, the verse implicitly points to **Solomon's Obedience and Leadership**, crediting him as the one who "built" and "finished" it, thereby underscoring his pivotal role in leading this monumental task in obedience to God's commands and his father David's wishes, even though the ultimate success was by divine enablement.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **built (Hebrew, בָּנָה, _banah'_):** This verb signifies the act of constructing, erecting, or establishing. In the context of the Temple, it denotes the entire process of bringing the structure into existence, from laying the foundations to raising the walls and roof, indicating a comprehensive and deliberate act of creation.
* **house (Hebrew, בַּיִת, _bayit'_):** While generally meaning "house" or "dwelling," here it emphatically refers to the Temple, "the house of the Lord." This term elevates the structure beyond a mere building, designating it as God's sacred dwelling place, where His name would reside and His presence would be uniquely manifested among His people.
* **finished (Hebrew, כָּלָה, _kalah'_):** This verb implies bringing something to completion, perfecting it, or bringing it to an end. It signifies not merely ceasing work, but successfully bringing a project to its intended and designed conclusion, implying thoroughness, dedication, and the successful attainment of the objective.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Solomon built the house,"**: This clause attributes the primary agency for the Temple's construction to King Solomon. It highlights his leadership, vision, and the immense effort expended under his direction to bring the physical structure into being, following the divine blueprints and the detailed preparations made by David.
* **"and finished it."**: This second clause emphasizes the successful culmination of the entire project. It signifies that the monumental task, which spanned seven years, was brought to a complete and perfect conclusion, ready for its sacred purpose of housing the presence of the Lord. This completion underscores Solomon's diligence and faithfulness in executing the divine commission.

#### Literary Devices
The brevity and declarative nature of [1 Kings 6:14](/1_kings/6-14 "1 Kings 6:14 - Solomon Completes the Temple") employ several literary devices. Its **Conciseness** is striking, as it summarizes seven years of monumental labor in just a few words, creating a powerful sense of accomplishment. It functions as a **Summary Statement**, acting as a capstone to the preceding chapters that detail the intricate plans and construction process, providing a definitive conclusion to that narrative segment. The repeated use of verbs denoting action and completion ("built," "finished") emphasizes **Fulfillment Language**, highlighting that a major divine and human undertaking has been brought to its intended end. Furthermore, "the house" serves as a form of **Metonymy**, where the physical structure stands in for the entire sacred institution of the Temple, symbolizing God's presence, covenant faithfulness, and the center of Israelite worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The completion of Solomon's Temple is a profound theological milestone, signifying God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His enduring desire to dwell among His people. It established a tangible, central locus for worship, sacrifice, and the manifestation of God's presence (the Shekinah glory) in Israel. This physical structure served as a powerful reminder of God's accessibility and His commitment to His chosen nation, providing a concrete space where the covenant relationship could be ritually maintained and renewed. The Temple's completion was not merely an architectural feat but a theological declaration that God had indeed chosen to establish His name and presence in Jerusalem, making it the spiritual heart of the nation.

* [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Command to Build a Sanctuary")
* [2 Samuel 7:13](/2_samuel/7-13 "2 Samuel 7:13 - God's Covenant with David Regarding the Temple")
* [Haggai 1:8](/haggai/1-8 "Haggai 1:8 - Rebuilding the Temple for God's Glory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The completion of Solomon's Temple, a project of immense scale and divine significance, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us of the importance of perseverance and diligence in fulfilling the tasks and callings God places before us. Just as Solomon's work required sustained effort over seven years, many spiritual endeavors, whether personal growth, ministry, or community building, demand long-term commitment and resilience. This verse also testifies to God's faithfulness in empowering His servants to complete what He has ordained; He provides the resources, wisdom, and strength to bring His plans to fruition. Furthermore, while the physical Temple no longer stands, the New Testament reveals that believers, both individually and corporately, are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual reality challenges us to consider the integrity and sanctity of our "spiritual house"—our bodies, our lives, and our communities—ensuring they are "finished" and prepared to be pure dwelling places for God's indwelling presence, reflecting His glory and purpose in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "houses" or spiritual projects has God called you to build or complete in your life, and how are you persevering in them?**
* **How does the perseverance required for the Temple's construction encourage you in long-term spiritual endeavors, especially when facing challenges?**
* **In what ways can you ensure your "spiritual house" (your life, your community) is truly "finished" and prepared for God's indwelling presence, reflecting His character and mission?**

### FAQ
**Why is the completion of the Temple so significant in Israelite history?**

Answer: The completion of the Temple in [1 Kings 6:14](/1_kings/6-14 "1 Kings 6:14 - Solomon Completes the Temple") was profoundly significant for several reasons. It marked the fulfillment of God's promise to King David that his son would build a house for the Lord ([2 Samuel 7:13](/2_samuel/7-13 "2 Samuel 7:13 - God's Covenant with David Regarding the Temple")), solidifying the Davidic dynasty. It provided a permanent, central dwelling place for God's name and presence (the Shekinah glory) among His people, replacing the movable Tabernacle. This centralization of worship in Jerusalem elevated the city's religious and political importance, becoming the focal point for national worship, sacrifices, and festivals. The Temple symbolized God's covenant faithfulness, His tangible presence, and His commitment to His people, serving as a constant reminder of their unique relationship with the Almighty.

**Did God truly "dwell" in the Temple, or was it symbolic?**

Answer: While God is omnipresent and transcendent, as Solomon himself acknowledges in [1 Kings 8:27](/1_kings/8-27 "1 Kings 8:27 - God Cannot Be Contained by a Temple") ("But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You; how much less this temple which I have built!"), the Temple was where God chose to "put His name" ([1 Kings 8:29](/1_kings/8-29 "1 Kings 8:29 - God's Name in the Temple")) and manifest His presence in a unique, tangible way. The glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle ([Exodus 40:34-35](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34-35 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Tabernacle")) and later the Temple ([1 Kings 8:10-11](/1_kings/8-10 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Temple")), indicating a specific, localized manifestation of His presence. It was a designated point of communion, prayer, and atonement between God and His people, a place where His glory was revealed and His covenant maintained, making it both a physical structure and a powerful symbol of His intimate relationship with Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The completion of Solomon's Temple, a magnificent earthly dwelling for God's presence, serves as a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate and perfect dwelling of God with humanity found in Jesus Christ. The physical Temple, with its holy of holies and sacrificial system, was a shadow of the true reality to come. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to the temple of His body ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction and Resurrection")). His incarnation made God's presence tangibly manifest among humanity in a way no building ever could, for in Him "dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of God in Christ")). The "finished" work of Solomon's Temple points to the "finished" work of Christ on the cross ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Last Words: 'It is Finished'")), where He perfectly accomplished redemption, abolished the need for animal sacrifices, and tore the veil, opening direct access to God's presence. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus established a new spiritual temple—His body, the Church ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - The Church as God's Temple")), comprised of believers who are "living stones" built into a spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")). Ultimately, the Temple's completion anticipates the New Creation, where God's dwelling is permanently with humanity, and there is no longer a need for a temple, "for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity") and [Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - No Temple in New Jerusalem")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 6:38

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

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

Acts 7:47

But Solomon built him an house.

Acts 7:48

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