As Solomon prepares for the building of the temple, something of the amazing scale of the construction is seen in the large number of men to be used (v2). This was a great undertaking, but one Solomon was determined to see through in order to honour the name of the Lord (v1).

The letter that Solomon sends to Hiram the King of Tyre, was both bold and God-glorifying (v3-10). Solomon gives some detail as to how the temple was to be used (v4). It was a place of worship with sacrifices at the very centre of its activity.

Solomon is writing to a king who would have worshipped a pagan god, but there is no attempt to be diplomatic about different gods (v5). Solomon knew that the Lord, the God of Israel was the one true God and he wouldn’t compromise that belief to appease anyone, even a king.

In a world that calls for tolerance of all religions and belief systems, we need to be graciously clear in our speech, that there is One True God who has no equals. Nothing we do should compromise this belief.

Solomon’s temple would be one of the greatest constructions ever, but even such a majestic building, can it contain the Lord that even the highest heavens cannot contain Him (6).