Useful Bible Studies > 1 Kings Commentary > chapter 8

God accepts the temple as his home

1 Kings 8:12-14

God lives, not in darkness, but in such wonderful light that nobody can even approach him (1 Timothy 6:15-16). No person can see his full glory, the beauty of the light from his face, and live (Exodus 33:18-20).

For that reason, when God came among his people Israel, he surrounded himself with a dark cloud (Psalm 18:11 and 97:2). In that way, God protected his people from the light and power of his glory.

That had happened during Moses’ life (Exodus 19:9; Exodus 20:21; Leviticus 16:2). In particular, it happened at the ceremony to hand over the tabernacle to God (Exodus 40:34-35). The tabernacle was the very special tent that God had directed Moses to build as the temporary house of God.

Solomon was now replacing the tabernacle with the building called the temple. So, the temple now became the permanent house of God in our world. At the ceremony to hand the temple over to God, a dark cloud again filled that place. Solomon recognised that cloud as evidence that God was truly present. God had accepted the temple as his permanent house on earth.

Now, at last, God had received this magnificent building that would be his home among his people. It was in the place that he had chosen (Deuteronomy 12:5-14). It would stand there for a very long time – almost 400 years. However, God’s relationship with his people will never end (Jeremiah 31:35-36). He will always live with them (Jeremiah 31:33-34; Revelation 21:1-4).

Next part: God made it possible for Solomon to build the temple (1 Kings 8:15-19)

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