As we’ve seen in the book of Leviticus, all the rules had long since been set for how the sacrificial system would work, with specific offerings required in various ways, with the priests and the altar in the tabernacle; but people shrugged off these laws and offered their own sacrifices their own way on various hilltops. And Solomon did, too (I Kings 3:2-4). Although we usually think of Solomon as the wisest and most devout of kings, always walking in the fear of the Lord, we can see that he was not actually too concerned about making sure to worship God in accordance with what the law required.

Yet as it turned out, God continued to offer Solomon grace rather than condemnation, urging him with these words: “if you follow my statutes and obey my ordinances and faithfully follow my commandments, I shall fulfill the promise which I made about you to your father David” (I Kings 6:12). And indeed, the promise was not just about David and Solomon: for God went on to say “I shall make my home among the Israelites and never forsake Israel my people” (6:13).

In response to this call, Solomon went about the business of building the temple: an impressive building, sixty cubits long and twenty cubits wide, and twenty-five cubits high (6:2). And while he was working on buildings, he went ahead and also established a palace for himself. The building he built for himself was actually larger than the temple: one hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high (7:2).

This story forms another parable for us: like Solomon we feel the challenge of wanting to do well for the Lord, and wanting to do somehow even better for ourselves. We routinely choose the best for ourselves, and give God our leftovers – if there happen to be leftovers. It does not usually occur to us to give God the very best portion. Yet it is our Lord’s intention to bless us, and our nation – though we so often fail to live up to the calling God has given us.

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Help us, Lord! We keep offering our offerings according to our own preferences, rather than as you have directed; we keep aiming to have the best for ourselves, and to provide something secondary for you. Teach us, O God, to love you all the way, heart and soul and mind and strength.