As we look at the building of the temple, we need to see this as a picture of what Jesus does in building us together as a holy dwelling place for God by his Spirit.
In chapters 6-7 we hear of how Solomon's wisdom is manifested in building the temple – the House of the LORD - and in his own house.
Chapter 6 deals with the construction of the temple. 7:1-12 then moves to the construction of Solomon's house. And 7:13-51 returns to the furnishing of the temple.
Our text neatly fits together with the statement in 6:1 that Solomon "began to build the house of the LORD," and in 7:51 that "the house of the LORD was finished."
This is the same word used in Genesis 2:1, where it says that God finished creating the heavens and the earth; it is also the word used in Exodus 40:33 to describe how Moses finished building the tabernacle
We are also told that Solomon took 7 years to build the temple.
His own house took longer – 13 years. Some have thought that this suggests that Solomon's priorities are backwards – since he takes more time on his own house than on the temple. But the layout of chapters 6-7 take the opposite view.
Our author takes lots of time in describing the temple (chapter 6) and its furnishing (7:13-51) – and then places Solomon's house right at the middle – making all sorts of connections between God's house and Solomon's house.
And if you think about it – God has said that Solomon is his son – so the house of the Son of God is an important house!!
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