11 And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying,   12 Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:   13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.   14 So Solomon built the house, and finished it.

      Here is, I. The word God sent to Solomon, when he was engaged in building the temple. God let him know that he took notice of what he was doing, the house he was now building, v. 12. None employ themselves for God without having his eye upon them. “I know thy works, thy good works.” He assured him that if he would proceed and persevere in obedience to the divine law, and keep in the way of duty and the true worship of God, the divine loving-kindness should be drawn out both to himself (I will perform my word with thee) and to his kingdom: “Israel shall be ever owned as my people; I will dwell among them, and not forsake them.” This word God sent him probably by a prophet, 1. That by the promise he might be encouraged and comforted in his work. Perhaps sometimes the great care, expense, and fatigue of it, made him ready to wish he had never begun it; but this would help him through the difficulties of it, that the promised establishment of his family and kingdom would abundantly recompense all his pains. An eye to the promise will carry us cheerfully through our work; and those who wish well to the public will think nothing too much that they can do to secure and perpetuate to it the tokens of God’s presence. 2. That, by the condition annexed, he might be awakened to consider that though he built the temple ever so strong the glory of it would soon depart, unless he and his people continued to walk in God’s statutes. God plainly let him know that all this charge which he and his people were at, in erecting this temple, would neither excuse them from obedience to the law of God nor shelter them from his judgments in case of disobedience. Keeping God’s commandments is better, and more pleasing to him, than building churches.

      II. The work Solomon did for God: So he built the house (v. 14), so animated by the message God had sent him, so admonished not to expect that God should own his building unless he were obedient to his laws: “Lord, I proceed upon these terms, being firmly resolved to walk in thy statutes.” The strictness of God’s government will never drive a good man from his service, but quicken him in it. Solomon built and finished, he went on with the work, and God went along with him till it was completed. It is spoken both to God’s praise and his: he grew not weary of the work, met not with any obstructions (as Ezra iv. 24), did not out-build his property, nor do it by halves, but, having begun to build, was both able and willing to finish; for he was a wise builder.

Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary

God’s Approval, Verses 11-22

The account of Kings is interrupted to tell of a message from God to Solomon relative to his building of the temple. It does not appear to have come in a dream or vision as when God granted him wisdom at Gibeon. Probably it was delivered by a prophet. It is a very significant message, with stipulations for Solomon.

God will accept the building and perform His promises to David in the person of his son if Solomon will faithfully walk in the statutes of the Lord, execute His judgments, and keep all His commandments. Furthermore God would continue to dwell with Israel and never forsake them if they abide in these things. Especially is this lesson pertinent for the time when Solomon will have accomplished his great building projects, has become very rich, and has acquired great prestige by his wisdom. Then he would become over-confident and lax and be in danger of God’s judgment. Compare what the Lord has said to His children in the New Testament (Heb 13:5).

The author of Kings proceeds to tell of the building and completion of the temple with similar information to that already studied in Second Chronicles, chapter 3, above. He refers to the holy of holies as the oracle.

An oracle is a divine communication, and the name pertains to the holy of holies in the temple because this is where the Lord revealed His will to Israel by Urim and Thummim. Here they set the ark of the covenant which was built by Moses in the wilderness and had been the chief object of the tabernacle worship in the wilderness. The Kings account also tells some of the decorations which were carved in the wood of the temple walls. These boards covered all the stone work and had engravings of knops (or knobs) and open flowers to beautify it. It is also learned from this account that Solomon had constructed golden chains to draw across the curtain separating the holy place from the holy of holies.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

C. THE PROMISE TO SOLOMON 6:1114

TRANSLATION

(11) And the word of the LORD came unto Solomon, saying, (12) With regard to this house which you are building, if you continue to walk in My statutes and My judgments you execute, and you keep all My commandments to walk in them, then I will establish My word with you which I spoke unto David your father. (13) And I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel, and I will not forsake My people Israel. (14) So Solomon built the house and finished it.

COMMENTS

During the course of the building of the Temple the Lord came to Solomon with a gracious promise. While this promise is absent from the Greek or Septuagint version of the Old Testament, there is no substantial reason to question its genuineness. The word of the Lord came to Solomon on this occasion (1Ki. 6:11) probably through a prophetic intermediary (Nathan?). That God spoke to Solomon directly is ruled out by 1Ki. 9:2 which alludes to the second direct revelation to that king. The promise contained in these words is essentially a renewal of that gracious promise made by Nathan to David some years earlier.

In effect the message of the Lord contained an implied commendation of Solomon for having begun such a noble work as the construction of the Temple. If Solomon continued to follow the leading and direction of the Lord, God would establish or confirm the words of promise spoken to David in 2Sa. 7:12 ff. (1Ki. 6:12). In addition, a new element was introduced into the promise. God promised that He would dwell in the midst of His people (1Ki. 6:13). Just as God had pledged that He would occupy the Tabernacle (Exo. 25:8; Exo. 29:45), so now He assured Solomon that the house being constructed would be His earthly dwelling place. These verses point to the conditional character of Gods association with the Temple, a point emphasized again and again by the prophets of Israel. It was the prophetic recognition of this conditional aspect of Israels relation to God which made it possible for the destruction of the Temple to be recognized not as a sign of divine impotence, but rather as a result of unfaithfulness to the covenant. Thus encouraged by the gracious promise of the Lord, Solomon proceeded with the construction of the interior of the Temple (1Ki. 6:14).

Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

(11-13) In the midst of this architectural description is inserted a brief notice of the Lords promise concerning the Temple; which may be compared, and in some degree contrasted, with the fuller utterance given (see 1Ki. 9:3-9) after the consecration was over. Unlike this latter, it is one of simple promise of blessing, with no note of warning. But it is to be observed that, in accordance with the general principle laid down in Jer. 18:5-10, the promiserepeating the promises already made to David in 2Sa. 7:10-15, and to Moses in Exo. 25:8, but with special application to the newly-built Templeis made strictly conditional on obedience. In its main points, indeed, as working out the great covenant with Abraham for the blessing of all families of the earth, it was to be in any case fulfilled. But for each generation the enjoyment of the blessings promised was contingent on faith and obedience, and for the whole nation it was from time to time forfeited, until the final destruction of Israel as a nation. Yet even now, St. Paul (Rom. 11:29) teaches that for Israel there is still some hope of the ancient promise of blessing.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

11. The word of the Lord came to Solomon At first sight this and the next three verses seem like an interpolation, or a slightly changed form of what is stated 1Ki 9:4-5. But a closer study will show that this is the manner of the sacred writers. They seem ever conscious that they are writing sacred history, and so a communication of this kind, coming to Solomon during the building of the temple, must not be omitted, and is well introduced at this point, where the description turns from the outer to the inner walls.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

YHWH’s Mini-Covenant With Solomon ( 1Ki 6:11-14 ).

These words are deliberately place in the centre of the description of the building of the Temple, because they went to the heart of what the passage was all about. Into the Temple would be brought the Ark of God containing the tablets of the covenant, and they were a reminder that, unless that covenant was kept at the heart of what was going on in the Temple, the whole would be in vain. Thus YHWH’s genuine dwelling among them would only continue while they were genuinely faithful to His covenant. God was only too well aware that the Temple could so easily become an outward symbol that was unable to move the heart. We can compare here 1Sa 15:22; Isa 1:10-18; Isa 58:2-14.

It appears very probable that the revelation came through a prophet once the stonework had been erected and completed, but prior to its embellishment, partly as an encouragement in the work, but very much as a warning not to be too taken up with the Temple itself.

1Ki 6:11

‘ And the word of YHWH came to Solomon, saying,’

So in the midst of the busyness of building the Temple the voice of YHWH broke through on Solomon, seeking to encourage him, but also in order to remind him that without obedience to His Instruction all that he was building would be futile.

1Ki 6:12-13

“ Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them, then will I establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.”

“Concerning this house which you are building.” This was hardly the warmest way of describing the Temple, and in a sense it was a disclaimer of responsibility (note the absence of ‘My’). This was not what YHWH had had in mind when He had made His covenant with David (2Sa 7:5-7), and He wanted it to be recognised that its success would depend on faithfulness to His covenant, and obedience to His ways. It was only on such terms that He would ‘establish’ the covenant that he had made with David, and would dwell among His people and not forsake them. He wanted it recognised that the Temple itself would be no guarantee of His presence. What would guarantee His presence would be their faithful walk with Him. Without that He would desert both the house and the people.

“If you will walk in My statutes and execute My judgments, and keep all My commandments.” The emphasis is on threefold obedience to all God’s ways and requirements. The phrase ‘if you will walk in my statutes’ is taken from Lev 26:3. The phrase ‘execute My judgments’ is taken from Lev 18:4. See also Lev 18:5; Lev 19:37; Lev 20:22; Lev 25:15 for a similar idea. ‘Keep all my commandments’ is found in Deu 5:29. The nearest to ‘keep all My commandments to walk in them’ are Deu 5:29; Deu 8:6; Deu 28:9; but none are very close. For the appeal ‘if you will –’ see 1Ki 3:14; Exo 15:26; Lev 26:3; (interestingly an opening and direct ‘if you will –’ is not a Deuteronomic approach. We may compare Deu 19:9; Deu 30:10, but they are not using the words as a direct opening phrase and are therefore not strictly comparable). In view of this it is not justifiable to suggest that this covenant is ‘Deuteronomic’. It should rather be called ‘Mosaic’.

For the overall idea see for example 1Ki 2:3 ; 1Ki 3:14; 2Ki 17:34; 2Ki 17:37; Gen 26:5; Exo 15:26; Lev 18:4-5; Lev 18:26; Lev 19:37; Lev 20:22; Lev 25:18; Lev 26:3; Lev 26:15; Deu 5:31; Deu 6:1; Deu 7:11; Deu 8:11; Deu 11:1; Deu 26:17; Deu 30:16.

On the condition of such threefold obedience YHWH promises that He will establish with him His word which He spoke to David his father. This word primarily has in mind His covenant with David in 2Sa 7:12-16, but compare 1Ch 22:7-13, which was a further revelation given after the incident of the numbering of Israel and the purchase and use of Ornan’s threshingfloor for sacrifices (1Ch 21:28-30). Ornan’s threshingfloor was itself the site of the Temple (2Ch 3:1). In that revelation YHWH belatedly gave permission for a permanent Temple to be built (in contrast with David’s house).

“And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.” YHWH’s dwelling among His people was thus conditional on Solomon’s obedience as revealed by ‘walking in His statutes, executing His judgments and keeping all His statutes to walk in them’. The idea, however, was that this would then cause the people to walk in them too, for His presence would in the end always depend on the faithful response of His people (compare Isa 57:15). On the other hand, for those who were faithful it was guaranteed (Deu 31:6; Deu 31:8; Jos 1:5; 1 Samuel 12:28; Heb 13:5).

1Ki 6:14

‘ So Solomon built the house, and finished it.’

In response to YHWH’s covenant Solomon ‘built the house and finished it’ (with a little help from numerous others). All the stonework was now complete. As we have seen this and similar phrases end the three sections into which the passage is divided (see 1Ki 6:9; 1Ki 6:38).

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

(11) And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, (12) Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: (13) And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

This message from the Lord forms a most interesting parenthesis in the midst of the work. The Lord was pleased to let Solomon know that his eye was upon him in what he was engaged; and his arm should support and direct him through it. Busy as the king was from day to day, and in the Lord’s work; still he must find time to attend to the Lord himself. Personal communion with Jesus must never be lessened or interrupted by the most busy life. In ministers especially, the more the public duties of the sanctuary call them forth, the more need have they to be frequent in private waiting upon Jesus. That man can have but little real regard, whatever outward zeal he may seem to show, for the souls of others, who hath no sense of the worth of his own. Jesus took from the silence of the night to make up the want of leisure in the day. Dear Lord! how precious is thy example. Mat 14:23 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

1Ki 6:11 And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying,

Ver. 11. And the word of the Lord came, ] viz., By Abijah or some other prophet, even while he was in building, for his instruction and encouragement.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

1Ki 6:11-13. The word of the Lord came to Solomon By the prophet. If thou wilt walk in my statutes, &c. Here God expresses the condition upon which his promise and favour is suspended; and, by assuring him thereof in case of obedience, he plainly intimates the contrary upon his disobedience. Thus he was taught, that all the charge he and the people were at, in erecting this temple, would neither excuse them from obedience to the law of God, nor shelter them from his judgments in case of disobedience. And I will dwell among the children of Israel As I have done in the tabernacle. And will not forsake my people But protect them in the good land I have given them.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

God’s promise to bless Solomon’s obedience 6:11-13

Probably this word from the Lord came to Solomon during temple construction. Note that this was a conditional promise based on obedience to the Mosaic Covenant. God would establish Solomon’s kingdom forever (i.e., it would remain intact; 2Sa 7:13). He would also continue to dwell among the Israelites and not forsake them. Unfortunately, because Solomon did not continue to obey the covenant completely, God divided his kingdom after he died. Because the nation forsook the covenant, God ceased to dwell among the people and forsook them temporarily to captivity (cf. Mat 28:20).

"Throughout the Solomon stories the author presents an activity, then waits until later to state God’s approval or disapproval of it. For example, 1Ki 3:1-15 expresses approval of Solomon’s rise to power in chaps. 1-2, and 1Ki 5:12 explains that the decisions in 1Ki 5:1-7 demonstrate God-given wisdom. This strategy continues here, where, through some unspecified manner, Solomon receives God’s word about the temple." [Note: House, pp. 127-28.]

The writer evidently inserted this section of text (1Ki 6:11-13) in his description of Solomon’s building activities to emphasize the centrality of obedience to the overall success of the project.

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)