Who Is In the Center?

It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace (1 Kings 7:1, NIV).

1 Kings 6 records the work that Solomon had done regarding the building of the Temple. 1 Kings 7:1-12 gives the account of the work he had done on his own palaces which were twice as big. Then 1 Kings 7:13-51 goes back to talking about the Temple and the work done regarding its furnishings.

Solomon spared no expense in building and furnishing the Temple for the Lord. It was arguably the best thing that he did. Yet right in the middle of it we find that he was just as busy building a new palace complex for himself.

Was it bad for him to build the palace? I think there is good reason to think so. If you were going to sum up the message of 1 and 2 Kings, a good summary might be: God’s exile of the nation and the destruction of the Temple were just in light of Israel’s disobedience. Israel’s hope was in repentance and continued trust in God’s promises to David in spite of his failures and those of his sons. In 1 and 2 Chronicles, David and Solomon are held up as positive role models to be emulated as the people of Israel return to the land after the exile. In doing so the moral failings and questionable actions of David and Solomon are omitted. 2 Chronicles 3-4 covers the building or the Temple and its furnishings, giving virtually the same account of 1 Kings 6-7, but without any mention of Solomon’s building of his palace. Since the purpose of the account of Solomon in Chronicles was to highlight what Solomon did right, it seems clear that the omission of his palace was understood to be a bad sign.

It is interesting too, to read this in light of 1 Kings 6:11-13 (NIV), The word of the LORD came to Solomon: “As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father. And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel.” It is not like God did not know what was going on in Solomon’s heart, yet God graciously reminded him that He was more concerned about the state of Solomon’s relationship with Him than with the Temple itself. The Temple was a visible depiction of God’s surpassing worth and glory; but if that surpassing worth and glory were not reflected in our love of Him, the Temple accomplished nothing.

What I have been learning is that even in our best work, when we are most obedient, if we are honest, we find ourselves inserted into the center of it. Grace relieves us from the penalties of our sin; it revives, encourages, and empowers us to live a life of love to God and neighbor. In revealing God’s surpassing worth and glory to us grace also reveals the true nature of sin and gives as much a distaste of it as it gives a pleasing taste of God and holiness. Yet these changes in our hearts, minds, and desires—as transformative as they are—do not make us more sure of ourselves, but less. Grace makes us more dependent on grace. The more grace I experience, the more I see how badly I need it. Like Paul, I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me (Romans 7:21, NIV). The more we live in grace, the more we realize our dependence on it.