1 Kings 6:11 - Meaning and Application

Here is, first, the word God sent to Solomon while he was busy building the temple (1 Kings 6:12). God let him know that He was paying attention to what he was doing. No one serves God without God seeing it. “I know your works,” including your good works.

God also promised Solomon that if he kept on obeying God’s law and stayed in the path of duty and true worship, God would continue His loving favor toward him and his kingdom. “I will keep my word with you,” and Israel would still be owned as God’s people. God said He would live among them and would not leave them.

This message probably came through a prophet. It was meant, first, to encourage and comfort Solomon in his work. The task was large, costly, and tiring, and Solomon may sometimes have wished he had never started. But this promise would help him through the hard parts, because the settled strength of his family and kingdom would more than repay all his effort. If we keep God’s promise in mind, we can work with a glad heart. Those who care about the good of the people will think nothing is too much if it helps secure God’s presence among them.

Second, the condition attached to the promise was meant to wake Solomon up to an important truth. Even if he built the temple as strongly as possible, its glory would not last if he and his people did not keep walking in God’s commands. God made it clear that all the expense and effort of building the temple would not excuse them from obedience, and it would not protect them from judgment if they disobeyed. Keeping God’s commandments is better, and pleases Him more, than building churches.

Then we see the work Solomon did for God: “So he built the house” (1 Kings 6:14). He was encouraged by God’s message, and also warned not to expect God to bless the building unless he obeyed God’s law. In effect, he said, “Lord, I go forward on these terms, fully resolved to walk in your statutes.” God’s strict rule never drives a good man away from His service. Instead, it stirs him up to serve more faithfully.

Solomon built the temple and finished it. He kept going until the work was complete, and God stayed with him until it was done. This honors both God and Solomon. Solomon did not grow tired of the task, and no major obstacle stopped him, as happened in Ezra 4:24. He did not plan beyond his means, and he did not leave the work half done. He began to build, and he was both able and willing to finish, for he was a wise builder.