The foundation of the temple of the LORD was laid in the fourth year, in the month of Ziv. In the eleventh year in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He [Solomon] had spent seven years building it. It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace. – 1 Kings 6:37-7:1
The construction of the temple in Jerusalem was no small matter – it was a divine mandate, a sacred task ordained by the God of heaven. King David, a warrior after God’s own heart, longed to build this house for the Lord, but God said no. Why? David’s hands were stained with blood from years of battle (1 Chronicles 22:8). The honor of building the temple fell to his son, Solomon, a man gifted with divine wisdom and commissioned to erect a sanctuary where God’s glory would dwell. For seven years, Solomon labored with precision, crafting a temple adorned with cedar, gold, and intricate detailing, all to reflect the majesty of the Almighty.
But then the text turns, and it strikes with utter conviction. Solomon spent thirteen years – nearly double the time – building his own palace (1 Kings 7:1). The house of God, the place where the Creator of the universe would be worshipped, took seven years. Solomon’s personal monument, a shrine to his own splendor, consumed thirteen. Do you see the scandal here? The king, blessed with wisdom from God Himself, was more devoted to his own glory than to the glory of the Lord. His priorities were backward, his heart seduced by the allure of self-exaltation.
This is not just Solomon’s sin… it’s ours too. The human heart is a factory of idols, and we are no less guilty than this ancient king. We pour our years into building our own palaces: our careers, our reputations, our ambitions, our life comforts. We work tirelessly to erect monuments to self, while the worship of God, the advancement of His kingdom, and the pursuit of His glory are relegated to the margins of our lives. We give Him our scraps – our hurried prayers, our half-hearted Sundays – while we offer ourselves our best energies, our deepest passions, and our longest hours. This is idolatry, plain and simple! And it demands our repentance.
Scripture is unrelenting in its call. Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” And we’re reminded in Isaiah 42:8 that God will not share His glory with another. He demands that every ounce of our being – our time, our talents, our treasures – be surrendered to Him. Solomon’s palace, as grand as it was, crumbled into dust; the temple pointed to the everlasting worship of the One who alone is worthy! Yet even now, we imitate Solomon’s folly, chasing our own vainglory while neglecting the eternal.
Loved one, every morning that God allows you to awaken, you find yourself standing at a crossroads. What are you building with your life today? Are you busy constructing a palace for your own legacy and glory, or are you glorifying God by investing your energy and resources into furthering His eternal kingdom?
Let your life be a temple, not a palace… a place where God’s glory is displayed above all else.
Today’s Prayer: Sovereign Lord, forgive us for the times we have prioritized our own glory over Yours. Search our hearts and reveal any idols we have erected. Grant us the grace to live for Your name alone, to build our lives as a dwelling place for Your Spirit, and to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. May all we do reflect Your matchless worth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Former Blackout Artist 