Priorities

Solomon faithfully completed the temple to the exacting plans provided by his father (1 Chronicles 28), and the entire process took seven years. However, there’s something troubling when we read the next verse: “Now Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house.”

Read together, these verses provide a fascinating insight into Solomon’s life, and may provide important clues to his priorities. Yes, he built the temple, but he seemed even more occupied by “building his own house.” Yes, God’s house was magnificent, but Solomon chose to invest even more time, energy, and resources into his own house.

At the time, there may not have been any indication that things were changing for Solomon. But during the coming years, he would change in dramatic ways. The man who once sought God and wanted more of His wisdom, became dominated by cravings—a man with 700 wives and 300 concubines, who allowed his wives to turn his heart away from God (1 Kings 11:3)…a man who worshipped idols and abandoned God’s Word.

We see evidence of this change when Solomon spent nearly twice as long building his own house as he did building God’s house. Wasn’t this an indication he placed higher priority on his own interests than on the things of God?

In reality, all of us demonstrate our priorities by what we do with our time, talent, and treasure. Our lives reveal what’s truly important to us.

Today, what are your priorities? What messages are you sending to God and other people through your words and deeds? What is most important in your life?