1 Kings 7:1

¶ But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house.

But Solomon {H8010} was building {H1129} his own house {H1004} thirteen {H7969}{H6240} years {H8141}, and he finished {H3615} all his house {H1004}.

Shlomo built a palace for himself, taking thirteen years to finish it.

Solomon, however, took thirteen years to complete the construction of his entire palace.

And Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house.

Commentary

Context

This verse immediately follows the detailed account of the construction of the Temple of the Lord, which King Solomon completed in seven years (1 Kings 6:38). Here, the narrative shifts to Solomon's own grand palace complex, indicating a significant period of continued royal building projects in Jerusalem. The "house" mentioned was not a single dwelling but an extensive compound, including the House of the Forest of Lebanon, the Porch of Pillars, the Porch of the Throne (Hall of Judgment), and his private residence, along with a house for Pharaoh's daughter. This verse sets the stage for the description of these magnificent structures in the subsequent verses of 1 Kings chapter 7.

Key Themes

  • Priorities and Investment: The stark contrast in building times—seven years for God's house versus thirteen years for Solomon's own—often prompts reflection on priorities. While Solomon built the Temple first, the extended duration of his personal project highlights the immense resources and attention he also dedicated to his royal comforts and administrative needs.
  • Solomon's Wealth and Power: The ability to undertake such a massive and lengthy construction project for his personal dwelling underscores King Solomon's unparalleled wealth, power, and the stability of his reign. These buildings were symbols of his glory and the prosperity of Israel during this golden age.
  • Completion and Fulfillment: The phrase "he finished all his house" signifies the successful completion of another major endeavor, adding to the extensive list of Solomon's accomplishments as a builder and administrator. Together, the Temple and his palace complex represent twenty years of continuous construction.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "house" (בַּיִת, bayith) is used broadly in the Old Testament and can refer to a dwelling, a palace, a temple, or even a dynasty. In this context, it clearly denotes Solomon's extensive royal palace complex, distinguishing it from the "house of the Lord" (the Temple) discussed in the previous chapter. The phrase "his own house" emphasizes the personal nature of this building project, contrasting it with the sacred structure dedicated to God.

Practical Application

For believers today, this verse can serve as a point of reflection on our own priorities. While it was necessary for a king to have a suitable residence and administrative center, the significant time difference can prompt us to consider:

  • What do we invest our time, energy, and resources into?
  • Do our personal comforts and ambitions inadvertently overshadow our devotion and service to God?
  • The importance of finishing what we start, as Solomon "finished all his house," points to the value of persistence and completing tasks, whether for personal or spiritual endeavors.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 9:10 (7 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the LORD, and the king's house,

  • 2 Chronicles 8:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house,

  • Ecclesiastes 2:4 (3 votes)

    I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

  • Ecclesiastes 2:5 (3 votes)

    I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all [kind of] fruits:

  • Matthew 6:33 (3 votes)

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

  • 1 Kings 3:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.