Today’s Reading: 1 KINGS 5:1–7
It’s worth pointing out that this is the fulfillment of God’s promise to David in 2 Samuel 7.
• God told David that he was not allowed to build the Temple for a couple of reasons.
Two of the main reasons had to do with war (see also 1Chr 22:8-9).
• First, peace was elusive for David, and war made for an unstable environment for building.
• Second, David’s life was filled with violence; he himself was a warrior and had shed blood.
Do you think it’s significant that God wanted the Temple to be build in peace?
• It’s no accident that Solomon’s name comes from the same root as shalom—that is, peace.
• But why wouldn’t God give David the honor of building the Temple?
First, we must recognize the principle that the builder has not always been the one to lay the foundation.
• David was disqualified by living in violence, but he made Solomon’s peace possible.
• Solomon was given the honor partly as a gift to David.
Second, God camps with his people in war, but he establishes a home in peace.
• That God did not have a Temple during David’s reign bothered David, not God.
• A common theme of Scripture is that God does not need a building to live in!
• First, God went to battle with and for his people.
• Then, he gave his people a time of rest (key word!), and allowed Solomon to build the Temple.
For us, these are not two chronological phases in our Christian walk, but two concurrent aspects of life in Christ.
• He will not stop fighting for his people; there is constant spiritual battle going on around us, and God is our Champion
• But since we also know peace, since we have been given rest in Christ, God makes his home with us.
Clever Remarks 