Solomon’s Greatest Achievement was Finishing The Temple

II Chronicles 8:1–18
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Twenty years was the time spent in building the temple, his own palace, and in rebuilding some villages that Hiram had previously been given by Solomon (I Kings 9:10-14). Hiram was displeased with them, so they were returned to Solomon. In this passage we find the names of people that were not Israelites, but they lived in the land, and worked for Solomon (vv. 7-10). This gave the Israelites more of an opportunity to serve in the army and work as labor foremen.   

Although Solomon was not obedient to the Lord’s command forbidding the marrying of foreign wives, his spiritual sensitivity still led him to remove his idolatrous Egyptian wife from proximity to the places that are Holy (v. 11).

Solomon’s spiritual devotion was evidenced by the many sacrifices he performed at the temple dedication. II Chronicles does not make mention of Solo­mon’s pagan shrines and worship, seen in I Kings 11:1-13. It does mention what must have been his general practice of fulfilling Mosaic sacrifices (vv. 12-13). Solomon also kept the priestly and Levitical divisions established by his father (David). Probably Solomon’s highest achievement was in completing the temple.

Application

When my life is finished what will I be known for? Will I have invested the majority of my time in earning money and purchasing things or will I have spent a great deal of my time serving the Lord and helping others. “This life will soon be past; only the things done for Christ will last."