Solomon, however,This phrase introduces a contrast with the previous chapter, which details the construction of the temple. Solomon's focus shifts from the house of God to his own residence. This transition highlights the dual responsibilities of Solomon as both a king and a servant of God. The "however" suggests a change in priority or emphasis, reflecting the human tendency to balance personal and divine obligations.
took thirteen years
The duration of thirteen years indicates the significant time and resources invested in building Solomon's palace. This period is notably longer than the seven years it took to build the temple, suggesting the grandeur and complexity of the palace. The number thirteen, while not symbolically significant in the Bible, underscores the extensive nature of the project. This timeframe also reflects the prosperity and stability of Solomon's reign, allowing for such an ambitious undertaking.
to complete the construction
The completion of the construction signifies the fulfillment of Solomon's plans and the realization of his vision for a royal residence. This phrase emphasizes the thoroughness and dedication required to finish such a large-scale project. It also reflects the wisdom and organizational skills attributed to Solomon, as seen in other parts of Scripture, such as his administrative abilities in1 Kings 4.
of his entire palace.
The palace complex was not just a single building but a series of structures, including the House of the Forest of Lebanon, the Hall of Pillars, the Hall of the Throne, and Solomon's own residence. This complex served various functions, from administrative to residential, and was a symbol of Solomon's wealth and power. The palace's grandeur is a testament to the peace and prosperity during Solomon's reign, as well as his desire to establish a lasting legacy. The palace's construction can be seen as a type of Christ's future kingdom, where He will reign in glory and majesty.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem and his own palace.
2.
Solomon's PalaceA grand construction project that took thirteen years to complete, reflecting Solomon's wealth and the prosperity of Israel during his reign.
3.
JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, where Solomon's palace and the Temple were located, serving as the political and spiritual center of the nation.
Teaching Points
Prioritizing God's WorkSolomon spent seven years building the Temple and thirteen years on his palace. This can prompt reflection on how we prioritize our time and resources between God's work and personal pursuits.
The Danger of MaterialismSolomon's extensive building projects, including his palace, can serve as a caution against the pursuit of material wealth and comfort at the expense of spiritual priorities.
Legacy and InfluenceSolomon's reign was marked by peace and prosperity, allowing for grand projects. Consider how our actions and priorities today can influence future generations.
Wisdom in StewardshipSolomon was known for his wisdom, yet his later years showed a drift from God's commands. This highlights the need for continual reliance on God's wisdom in managing our resources and responsibilities.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Kings 7:1?
2.How does Solomon's palace construction reflect his priorities compared to the temple's construction?
3.What can we learn about stewardship from Solomon's 13-year palace project?
4.How does 1 Kings 7:1 illustrate the importance of patience in God's timing?
5.What scriptural connections exist between Solomon's palace and God's promises to David?
6.How can we apply Solomon's dedication to excellence in our own work today?
7.Why did Solomon take thirteen years to build his own house in 1 Kings 7:1?
8.How does Solomon's palace construction reflect his priorities compared to the temple?
9.What does 1 Kings 7:1 reveal about Solomon's leadership and character?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 7?
11.In Ecclesiastes 2:4–6, where is the archaeological or historical evidence for the massive building projects claimed?
12.According to 1 Kings 9:15, Solomon used forced labor to build key cities, but do historical or archaeological records support such extensive construction under his reign?
13.Why does 1 Kings 12:14 present Rehoboam’s answer as solely harsh, despite other biblical accounts that sometimes provide a balancing perspective?
14.What does the Bible say about minimalism vs. maximalism?What Does 1 Kings 7:1 Mean
Solomon• Scripture introduces “Solomon” as the king whom the Lord had endowed with exceptional wisdom (1 Kings 3:12) and appointed to build both the temple and the royal complex (1 Chronicles 28:6).
• His identity as David’s son links this verse to God’s covenant promises that David’s lineage would rule and that a son would build a house for the Lord (2 Samuel 7:12–13).
• Because kingship, wisdom, and building are inseparable aspects of Solomon’s calling,1 Kings 7:1 immediately reminds us who shoulders responsibility for the palace project.
however• “However” contrasts the palace with the temple just finished in seven years (1 Kings 6:38). The author signals a shift from sacred to royal construction.
• The temple came first (1 Kings 6:1), underlining proper priorities—God’s house before the king’s. Only after the temple’s completion does the narrative turn to Solomon’s residence, showing that worship precedes personal comfort (Matthew 6:33).
took thirteen years• Thirteen years is nearly double the time spent on the temple. The span underscores the scale and complexity of the palace complex described in1 Kings 7:2-12.
• This length also displays Solomon’s patience and thoroughness. He did not rush God’s work nor his own, reflecting the principle that great undertakings often require extended faithfulness (Hebrews 6:12).
• In2 Chronicles 8:1, after these twenty years—seven plus thirteen—Solomon finally turns to fortifying other cities, indicating how the palace phase dominated a long season of his reign.
to complete• “To complete” shows the project reached full termination, echoing the temple’s completion language (1 Kings 6:14, 38). God delights in finished tasks (Ecclesiastes 7:8).
• Solomon’s commitment to completion models how believers are to finish what they start, mirroring the Lord who perfects what He begins (Philippians 1:6).
• The verse defends the palace’s legitimacy: the same king who finished God’s house also fully saw through the royal residence. The narrative records no divine rebuke for the palace project itself, affirming its appropriateness when kept in right order.
the construction of• “Construction” points to the physical, tangible building efforts: timber from Lebanon, costly stones, artisans (1 Kings 7:10-12).
• Wise planning, resources provisioned by Hiram (1 Kings 5:6-9), and labor divisions (1 Kings 5:13-18) all converge here. God is no stranger to craftsmanship;Exodus 31:3 reveals His Spirit gifting Bezalel for tabernacle work, setting precedent for Solomon’s builders.
• Materials echo temple grandeur—cedar, gold, fine stone—showing consistency in quality between sacred and royal spheres, yet each remained distinct.
his entire palace• The phrase covers multiple structures: the House of the Forest of Lebanon, the Hall of Pillars, the Hall of Judgment, Solomon’s residence, and a house for Pharaoh’s daughter (1 Kings 7:2-8).
• Functionally, the complex served governance, justice, and domestic life, reflecting the king’s multifaceted responsibilities (Psalm 72:1-4).
• While impressive, the palace is still labeled “his,” underscoring human ownership under divine sovereignty.Psalm 127:1 reminds us, “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain,” a truth Solomon surely knew.
summary1 Kings 7:1 records that Solomon devoted thirteen years to finish every part of his palace complex. The verse highlights (1) the king responsible, (2) the deliberate contrast with the temple’s earlier completion, (3) the extended timeframe revealing magnitude and diligence, (4) the importance of finishing what one begins, (5) the careful construction process, and (6) the comprehensive scope of the royal residence. Together these points affirm God’s orderly priority—worship first, then work—and showcase Solomon’s faithfulness to see his God-given tasks through to the end.
Verse 1. -
But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years [There is no contrast implied between the time spent upon the temple and that occupied in the building of the palace, as the word "but" seems to suggest. The close connexion which exists in the original is interrupted by the division of chapters. In
1 Kings 6:38 we read, "So was he seven years in building it."
1 Kings 7:1 then proceeds, "And he was building his own house thirteen years." The much longer period occupied in the erection of the royal palace is easily accounted for. In the first place, the buildings were much larger, and the undertaking altogether was a much more extensive one (ver. 2). Then, though seven years only were consumed in the actual building of the temple, yet preparations for the work had been made, both by David and Solomon, for a long time beforehand. Lastly, a special force of labourers would appear to have been employed on the temple, while it is probable that they wrought at the palaces in greatly diminished numbers. So that the longer period spent over his own house does not argue selfishness or worldliness on Solomon's part. On the contrary, it speaks well for his piety that he built the temple first and urged on that sacred work with so much vigour. The thirteen years date from the completion of the seven years of
1 Kings 6:38. That is to say, the building of the temple and palace together occupied twenty years, as is expressly stated in
1 Kings 9:10. It is therefore one of Stanley's reckless statements that the palace "was commenced at the same time as the temple, but not finished till eight years afterwards"],
and he finished all his house. [By Solomon's "house" we are not to understand his private palace, or residence proper, alone (see ver. 8), but a range of palaces, more or less connected including the "house of the forest of Lebanon" (ver. 2), "the porch of pillars" (ver. 6), the throne-room or judgment hall (ver. 7), his own house and the house of Pharaoh's daughter (ver. 8). That all these are comprehended under the term "house" is evident from
1 Kings 9:1, 10, 15;
1 Kings 10:12, where Solomon's buildings are always spoken of as
two, viz., "the house of the Lord" and the "king's house." The situation of this string of palaces is by no means certain. Josephus says it stood over against (or opposite) the temple, which is highly probable; but this still leaves the question of site open, for the palace would be justly described as
ἄντικρυς ἔχων ναὸν, whether it stood west or south of the sanctuary. Ewald places it on the opposite ridge of Ophel,
i.e., on the south prolongation of the temple mount; while Fergusson, Bahr, etc., locate it on the northeast side of Zion, on the opposite side of the Tyropoean valley, and overlooking it and the whole city of David. Recent explorations seem to favour Ewald's view. See "Recovery of Jerusalem," pp. 319 sqq, and "Our Work in Palestine," p. 159 sqq. When we remember that the very site of
Zion is disputed, it will not surprise the reader that questions of this kind should be involved in uncertainty. And when it is further considered that the accumulated
debris of Jerusalem at one point reaches a depth of 120 feet, it will be readily understood what obstacles stand in the way of their settlement.]
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Solomon,שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה(šə·lō·mōh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010:Solomon -- David's son and successor to his thronehowever,וְאֶת־(wə·’eṯ-)Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative casetook thirteenשְׁלֹ֥שׁ(šə·lōš)Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7969:Three, third, thriceyearsשָׁנָ֑ה(šā·nāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141:A yearto completeוַיְכַ֖ל(way·ḵal)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3615:To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spentthe constructionבָּנָ֣ה(bā·nāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129:To buildof his entireכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everypalace.בֵּיתוֹ֙(bê·ṯōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004:A house
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OT History: 1 Kings 7:1 Solomon was building his own house thirteen (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) 
