Devotion 296

“Building God a House”

Reference: 1 Kings Chapter 5

God does not dwell in buildings.

Acts 7:47-49 “But Solomon built him an house. [48] Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, [49] Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

Solomon builds God a house, and many are trying to build God a house today.

Let’s read:

1 Kings 5:1-5 “And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David. [2] And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, [3] Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. [4] But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent. [5] And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.”

The Temple was to be a representation of man, a place for God to dwell. The Temple was to be built unto God’s Name. That Name is Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ was the Temple of God on earth.

John 2:19-21 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. [20] Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? [21] But he spake of the temple of his body.”

Today, in Christ, we are the Temples of God, built unto the Name of God, inhabited by God the Holy Spirit.

We continue our reading:

1 Kings 5:6-17 “Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians. [7] And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people. [8] And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir. [9] My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household. [10] So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire. [11] And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year. [12] And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together. [13] And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men. [14] And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy. [15] And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; [16] Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work. [17] And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.”

Solomon built the Temple with costly stones. The Holy Spirit builds His temples with the costly Blood of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:18-19 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

Today, the temples of God are built on the Cross of Christ. This is the foundation.

We conclude our reading:

1 Kings 5:18 “And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.”


We build God a temple by allowing the Holy Spirit to come and live in us. This can only be done after we’ve believed in the finished work of the Cross, for the Blood of Jesus Christ to wash us of all sins.

Let the Word of God make you a temple of God. BELIEVE, and confess Christ the Word as we’ve revealed Him from the First Adam. The temples are built on the Blood of His Cross, in Christ!

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