1 Kings 9:1

KJV

¶ And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do,

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when Solomon {H8010} had finished {H3615} the building {H1129} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, and the king's {H4428} house {H1004}, and all Solomon's {H8010} desire {H2837} which he was pleased {H2654} to do {H6213},

Complete Jewish Bible

After Shlomo had finished building the house of ADONAI, the royal palace and everything else he wanted to build for himself,

Berean Standard Bible

Now when Solomon had finished building the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and had achieved all that he had desired to do,

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of Jehovah, and the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he was pleased to do,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 9:1 marks a pivotal moment in the reign of King Solomon, signifying the successful and comprehensive completion of his monumental building projects, including the Temple of the LORD and his royal palace. This verse serves as a crucial narrative transition, setting the stage for God's subsequent appearance to Solomon, thereby underscoring divine attention to human endeavor, especially when dedicated to His glory and aligned with His purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the extensive and detailed accounts of the construction of the Temple of the LORD in [1 Kings 6](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Temple Construction") and Solomon's own royal palace complex in [1 Kings 7](/1_kings/7 "1 Kings 7 - Solomon's Palace Construction"). The narrative has meticulously described the architectural plans, materials, and labor involved, highlighting the immense scale and significance of these undertakings. The Temple, a magnificent structure dedicated to God's worship, took seven years to complete ([1 Kings 6:38](/1_kings/6-38 "1 Kings 6:38 - Temple Completion Time")). His personal residence, the "king's house" (a complex of buildings including the House of the Forest of Lebanon, the Hall of Pillars, and the Hall of the Throne), was an even longer undertaking, requiring thirteen years ([1 Kings 7:1](/1_kings/7-1 "1 Kings 7:1 - Palace Completion Time")). The phrase "all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do" indicates that not only these two primary structures but also all other significant architectural and infrastructural projects Solomon envisioned for his kingdom had reached fruition. This comprehensive completion serves as a narrative bridge, transitioning from the detailed accounts of human labor and achievement to the subsequent divine response and covenant reaffirmation found in [1 Kings 9:2-9](/1_kings/9-2 "1 Kings 9:2-9 - God's Second Appearance to Solomon").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) is depicted as a period of unprecedented peace, prosperity, and architectural grandeur for ancient Israel. The construction of the Temple was a monumental national achievement, fulfilling the long-held desire, first of David, to build a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and the worship of Yahweh. This project solidified Jerusalem's status as the religious and political capital. The construction of the vast royal palace complex, which took nearly twice as long as the Temple, showcased Solomon's immense wealth, wisdom, and administrative capabilities, typical of powerful monarchs in the ancient Near East who demonstrated their authority through impressive public works. These building projects required vast resources, skilled craftsmen (some from Tyre, as per [1 Kings 5:1-12](/1_kings/5-1 "1 Kings 5:1-12 - Hiram's Aid to Solomon")), and extensive labor, often including forced labor from non-Israelite populations ([1 Kings 9:20-22](/1_kings/9-20 "1 Kings 9:20-22 - Solomon's Forced Laborers")). The completion of these structures marked a significant milestone, symbolizing the stability and flourishing of the united monarchy under Solomon's rule.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several major themes within 1 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it highlights **Completion and Fulfillment**, signifying the culmination of decades of national effort and Solomon's personal vision for the kingdom's infrastructure and spiritual center. It marks a period of stability and achievement in Israel, characterized by the physical manifestation of God's dwelling among His people and the establishment of a strong royal administration. Secondly, it underscores **Divine Recognition and Covenant**. The successful completion of these significant works, particularly the Temple, is presented as a prerequisite for God's next direct interaction with Solomon. It emphasizes that God takes notice of human labor, especially when it is undertaken with faith and dedication to His purposes, leading to a moment of divine revelation and covenant reaffirmation, as God had previously appeared to Solomon at Gibeon ([1 Kings 3:5-14](/1_kings/3-5 "1 Kings 3:5-14 - God's First Appearance to Solomon")). Thirdly, the verse speaks to **Solomon's Wisdom, Wealth, and Authority**. The ability to undertake and complete such vast and ambitious projects speaks volumes about Solomon's immense wealth, his divinely granted wisdom in administration and organization, and his unparalleled authority, fulfilling the prosperity promised to Israel under his reign ([1 Kings 4:20-34](/1_kings/4-20 "1 Kings 4:20-34 - Solomon's Prosperity and Wisdom")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **finished (Hebrew, _kālâ'_):** This verb signifies completion, bringing to an end, or accomplishing. It implies not merely stopping work, but successfully bringing a project to its intended conclusion, often with a sense of finality and perfection. In this context, it emphasizes the full realization of the architectural endeavors, marking a definitive end to the construction phase and a transition to a new period in Solomon's reign, where the focus shifts from building to living within and governing from these completed structures.
* **desire (Hebrew, _ḥēp̄eṣ'_):** This noun denotes pleasure, delight, purpose, or wish. When combined with the subsequent phrase "which he was pleased to do," it strongly suggests that Solomon’s building projects were not just obligatory tasks but undertakings in which he took great personal satisfaction and for which he had a strong inclination and purpose. The comprehensive nature of "all Solomon's desire" highlights that he had fulfilled all his architectural and infrastructural aspirations for the kingdom, bringing a sense of satisfaction and completion to his major undertakings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD":** This opening clause immediately establishes the temporal setting and highlights the primary achievement. The "house of the LORD" refers specifically to the Temple in Jerusalem, the central sanctuary for Israelite worship. Its completion, after seven years of intensive labor ([1 Kings 6:38](/1_kings/6-38 "1 Kings 6:38 - Completion of the Temple")), was a momentous theological and national event, signifying God's dwelling among His people and the fulfillment of David's long-held vision.
* **"and the king's house":** This refers to Solomon's extensive royal palace complex, which took thirteen years to build ([1 Kings 7:1](/1_kings/7-1 "1 Kings 7:1 - Completion of Solomon's Palace")). This complex included various structures like the House of the Forest of Lebanon, the Hall of Pillars, and the Hall of the Throne, serving as the administrative and residential center of the kingdom. Its completion underscored Solomon's immense wealth, power, and the establishment of a robust, centralized royal administration.
* **"and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do":** This comprehensive phrase indicates that beyond the two primary structures (Temple and palace), Solomon had also completed all other significant architectural, infrastructural, and perhaps even artistic projects he had envisioned and undertaken throughout his reign. It signifies a complete realization of his grand building program, bringing to fruition every major endeavor he wished to accomplish, thereby marking a period of unparalleled national achievement and stability.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its message of comprehensive completion and transition. **Enumeration** is evident in the listing of the "house of the LORD," "the king's house," and "all Solomon's desire," which systematically details the scope of his accomplishments. This progression also creates a sense of **Climax**, moving from the sacred national project to the royal personal project, and finally to an all-encompassing statement of fulfillment, emphasizing the vastness of Solomon's achievements. The phrase "all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do" functions as a form of **Generalization** or even **Hyperbole**, suggesting a comprehensive and exhaustive completion of every conceivable project, thereby highlighting the king's immense success and the prosperity of his kingdom. Furthermore, the verse acts as a crucial **Transitional Marker**, signaling the end of the extensive building narratives (chapters 5-8) and setting the stage for God's subsequent appearance and re-affirmation of the covenant with Solomon, moving the narrative from human endeavor to divine response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse marks a crucial theological juncture, signifying the culmination of human effort in service of divine purpose, which then occasions a renewed divine engagement. The completion of the Temple, in particular, was the physical manifestation of God's covenant presence among His people, a tangible sign of His commitment to Israel. Solomon's diligent completion of these monumental tasks, driven by both spiritual devotion (for the Temple) and kingly duty (for the palace and kingdom infrastructure), sets the stage for God's second appearance to him. This sequence underscores a profound principle: faithful completion of the work God has set before us often precedes new levels of divine revelation, affirmation, or instruction. It highlights God's attentiveness to human labor, especially when it aligns with His will and brings glory to His name, moving the narrative from the grand scale of construction to the intimate sphere of divine-human dialogue.

* [1 Kings 8:54-61](/1_kings/8-54 "1 Kings 8:54-61 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication and Blessing")
* [2 Chronicles 7:1-3](/2_chronicles/7-1 "2 Chronicles 7:1-3 - God's Glory Fills the Temple")
* [John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Desire to Do the Will of the Father")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 9:1 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. Just as Solomon diligently brought his vast projects to completion, we are called to persevere in the tasks and callings God has placed before us, whether in our personal lives, families, professions, or ministries. The verse reminds us that there is inherent value and spiritual significance in completing what we start, especially when our efforts are directed towards God's glory. This completion often serves as a prerequisite for God's next move in our lives, preparing us for new seasons of divine interaction, guidance, or blessing. It challenges us to consider how we steward the resources—time, talent, and treasure—that God has entrusted to us, ensuring they are utilized effectively and purposefully for His kingdom, not merely for our own ambitions. Ultimately, it encourages a mindset of faithful diligence, recognizing that our completed works, however mundane or magnificent, are seen by God and can open doors for deeper communion and clearer direction from Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "building projects" (tasks, goals, ministries) has God called you to complete in your life?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking to bring something to completion, and what challenges are you facing?**
* **How does the idea that God takes notice of our completed work motivate you in your current endeavors?**
* **What resources has God given you to steward, and how are you using them to fulfill His purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why is the completion of these buildings so significant?**

Answer: The completion of the Temple and Solomon's palace complex is significant for several reasons. The Temple, as the dwelling place for God's presence, symbolized the fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people and provided a central place for worship and sacrifice, solidifying Israel's religious identity. The palace complex, on the other hand, represented the stability, wealth, and administrative power of the Davidic monarchy under Solomon, demonstrating his wisdom and the prosperity of the kingdom. Together, their completion marked a golden age for Israel, a period of peace and achievement, and set the stage for God's renewed covenant engagement with Solomon, as seen in [1 Kings 9:2-9](/1_kings/9-2 "1 Kings 9:2-9 - God's Second Appearance and Covenant with Solomon").

**Did Solomon complete all his "desires" perfectly?**

Answer: The phrase "all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do" suggests a comprehensive completion of his architectural and infrastructural ambitions. While the text highlights his success in these specific endeavors, it's important to remember that later in his reign, Solomon's "desires" also led him astray, particularly in his pursuit of foreign wives and their gods, which ultimately led to the division of the kingdom ([1 Kings 11:1-13](/1_kings/11-1 "1 Kings 11:1-13 - Solomon's Idolatry and God's Judgment")). Thus, while he completed his *building* desires, his life as a whole was not one of perfect obedience or fulfillment of God's ultimate desire for him. This verse focuses on the successful culmination of his physical construction projects, a moment of triumph before the later moral decline.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 9:1 celebrates Solomon's monumental achievements in building the Temple and his palace, its Christ-centered fulfillment points to a far greater builder and a more enduring dwelling. Jesus Christ is the ultimate builder, not of physical structures, but of the spiritual house, the church, which is the "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body, a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). He declared, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Jesus Builds His Church")). Unlike Solomon's temple, which was eventually destroyed, Christ's spiritual temple is eternal and indestructible. Furthermore, Jesus perfectly completed all the "desire" of His Father, not merely architectural projects, but the entire redemptive plan for humanity. His ultimate "completion" was the work of salvation on the cross, where He declared, "It is finished" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Last Words: 'It is Finished'")), bringing to fruition God's eternal purpose and establishing a new and living way for humanity to draw near to God, not in a physical temple, but through His own body ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ's Blood")). Thus, Solomon's completed works foreshadow the perfect and eternal work of Christ, who truly fulfills all of God's desire for humanity's redemption and reconciliation, making believers living stones in a spiritual house built on the cornerstone, Jesus Christ ([1 Peter 2:4-5](/1_peter/2-4 "1 Peter 2:4-5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")).

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

2 Chronicles 7:11

Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.

2 Chronicles 8:6

And Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and throughout all the land of his dominion.

1 Kings 9:19

And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.

Ecclesiastes 6:9

Better [is] the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

1 Kings 6:37

In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif:

1 Kings 7:1

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

1 Kings 7:51

So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; [even] the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD.