2 Chronicles gives a very technical history of the building of the temple, measurements, descriptions, etc.
Let's take a closer look at 1 Kings:
verse 7: tells us that the temple was built with reverence. No tool of iron, nor ax, nor hammer was heard in the temple. It took more work, yet, the builders knew this was to be a holy place, and they treated it as such.
verses 11-13: God tells Solomon that He will dwell with the people under the condition that they will obey His Word. This is the same condition God gave to the people at Mt. Sinai. Buildings do not change the relationship between God and His people. As my study Bible states, "God is not as impressed with structures as He is with obedience."Once again, it is emphasized that this building is just a place. Why does God keep reminding the people of this? Because we are proud. We quickly become impressed with shiny things and turn our attention away from God. It is very easy to turn worship of God into worship of the temple.
verse 38 - it took seven years to build the temple.
verse 7:1-12 Now 1 Kings moves onto Solomon's house. It took 13 years for Solomon to complete his own house, and it was completed entirely. The temple is not yet complete, as the interior is still being worked on and it is not being used. This shows Solomon's divided heart - he spent much more time building his own house than he did God's house. Solomon's house was bigger than the temple. He also built a special house to please his Egyptian wife.
7:13-51 - Back to the temple: The interior furnishings and vessels are completed. The treasuries are filled.
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