Xanthe Hancox

The Lord gave Solomon wisdom, just as he had promised him.  1 Kings 5:12a

1 Kings 5 is a chapter that reads a bit like an ancient project plan. You won’t find a Gantt chart there, but there’s a detailed account of Solomon’s plans for acquiring the necessary labour and construction materials to build the temple.

And then, sandwiched in the middle of all this, is a verse that reads: “The Lord gave Solomon wisdom, just as he had promised him.” What, then, does Scripture teach us through Solomon's wisdom concerning the temple preparations? First, Solomon's project was wisely grounded in the peace of God (verses 4-5). He did not claim credit for himself, but recognised that building success was only possible in the context of peace from God.

Second, Solomon's idea for a temple was founded on God's promise to David. Earlier, God had promised that David's son would sit on the throne and “build a house for my Name” (2 Samuel 7:13). Solomon's construction project wasn't grounded in his own vision.

Finally, Solomon's project was directed to the purposes of God. Notice who was enlisted to help with the construction of God's holy house: the king of Tyre (verse 10), Sidonian loggers (verse 6), and Gebalite craftsmen (verse 18). In other words, Gentiles were an integral part of the building of God's house, foreshadowing the words of Jesus: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17).

Solomon's preparations for building God's house were centred on God's peace, God's promise, and God's purpose. Without them, his project was doomed to failure. There's a lesson here for all of us. Solomon reiterated this in Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain”. Today, spend time praying for your church and other ministries you support, that they would be grounded in God's peace and promise, and guided by God's purpose.

Prayer: Father, it’s so easy to get caught up in projects and plans that reflect our wishes, and then to be disappointed when they fail. I pray that I would seek your will in all I do.  Amen