1 Kings 9:1

When Solomon had finished. Work on the Temple was begun in Solomon’s 4th year (1 Kings 6:1), and was completed 7 years later, in his 11th year (1 Kings 6:38). The building of the palace took another 13 years (1 Kings 7:1). Thus Solomon’s combined building program of Temple and palace took 20 years (1 Kings 9:10; 2 Chron. 8:1), being completed in the 24th year of his reign. A question arises concerning the exact meaning of the words, “when Solomon had finished.” Does this mean that it was not till the end of the 20-year period of building that the Lord appeared to Solomon with the message that his prayer offered at the dedication of the Temple had been heard? If so, then when was the Temple dedicated; shortly after its completion, or after a wait of 13 years, till the entire building program had been completed? If the Temple was dedicated shortly after its completion, would the Lord wait 13 years before telling Solomon that his prayer had been answered? Or could it be that the dedication did not take place till 13 years after the completion of the Temple? These are questions that, because of the brevity of the narrative, we are not able to answer with absolute certainty. It appears, however, that the response to the prayer of Solomon came shortly after the utterance of that prayer (see PK 45).