1Ki 9:7 | KingComments | STEP | When Solomon has finished building ( ), the LORD appears to him again ( ). It will be the twenty-fourth year of his government. He has been building for twenty years ( ). He has built the temple in seven years, which he began in the fourth year of his reign, and then he has built his house in thirteen years. He is here in the second part of his government and the decline of his government has already begun. The freshness of the beginning is no longer there. Things have come into Solomon’s life that will lead him to a fall. The LORD appears for the second time to Solomon. He previously appeared to him at Gibeon, now He appears to him, as it seems, in Jerusalem. At His first appearance He told Solomon to ask what he wanted. Now, after so many years of prosperity, He lets him know what his responsibility is. The LORD returns to his prayer from the eleventh year of his reign, the prayer at the dedication of the temple. Now, thirteen years later, the answer comes. The LORD first says to him that He has heard his prayer and supplication. It is a great encouragement for everyone who prays and supplicates to know that God hears prayer. The LORD reminds Solomon that He consecrated the temple by establishing His Name there forever (cf. ). Solomon also asked if the eyes of the LORD will always be focused on it ( ). The answer of the LORD goes further. He says that His eyes and His heart will always be there. Then He reminds Solomon of his responsibility. The throne of Solomon will be established when he stays in the ways of the LORD. There is an “if” in and , both for Solomon and for the whole people. That is the side of responsibility. God warns them to keep His commandments and not to follow any other gods. If they do not listen, He must cut them off from the land, and His temple He will cast out of His sight so that it becomes a mockery ( ). All who will see the destroyed temple will ask why ( ). The answer is: because the people have left the LORD. How about the promises, then, is God’s business and not the business of an unfaithful people. The words that Solomon prayed for the people in view of their deviation now come to him personally. What one proclaims oneself, returns to one’s own head. That should not change the preaching, but keep the preacher. It comes down to the fact that someone must be what he preaches. All the kings after him have experienced that. It also applies to us, because the kingdom is also entrusted to us.

‏ 1 Kings 9:7

Answer From the LORD

When Solomon has finished building (1Kgs 9:1), the LORD appears to him again (1Kgs 9:2). It will be the twenty-fourth year of his government. He has been building for twenty years (1Kgs 9:10). He has built the temple in seven years, which he began in the fourth year of his reign, and then he has built his house in thirteen years. He is here in the second part of his government and the decline of his government has already begun. The freshness of the beginning is no longer there. Things have come into Solomon’s life that will lead him to a fall.

The LORD appears for the second time to Solomon. He previously appeared to him at Gibeon, now He appears to him, as it seems, in Jerusalem. At His first appearance He told Solomon to ask what he wanted. Now, after so many years of prosperity, He lets him know what his responsibility is.

The LORD returns to his prayer from the eleventh year of his reign, the prayer at the dedication of the temple. Now, thirteen years later, the answer comes. The LORD first says to him that He has heard his prayer and supplication. It is a great encouragement for everyone who prays and supplicates to know that God hears prayer. The LORD reminds Solomon that He consecrated the temple by establishing His Name there forever (cf. Deu 12:11a). Solomon also asked if the eyes of the LORD will always be focused on it (1Kgs 8:29). The answer of the LORD goes further. He says that His eyes and His heart will always be there.

Then He reminds Solomon of his responsibility. The throne of Solomon will be established when he stays in the ways of the LORD. There is an “if” in 1Kgs 9:4 and 1Kgs 9:6, both for Solomon and for the whole people. That is the side of responsibility. God warns them to keep His commandments and not to follow any other gods. If they do not listen, He must cut them off from the land, and His temple He will cast out of His sight so that it becomes a mockery (Deu 28:37 ; 45 ; 63).

All who will see the destroyed temple will ask why (Deu 29:23-26). The answer is: because the people have left the LORD. How about the promises, then, is God’s business and not the business of an unfaithful people.

The words that Solomon prayed for the people in view of their deviation now come to him personally. What one proclaims oneself, returns to one’s own head. That should not change the preaching, but keep the preacher. It comes down to the fact that someone must be what he preaches. All the kings after him have experienced that. It also applies to us, because the kingdom is also entrusted to us.