71 But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house.
71 It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace.
71 Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished his entire house.
71 It took Solomon another thirteen years to finish building his own palace complex.
71 But Solomon took thirteen years to build his own house; so he finished all his house.
71 Solomon also built a palace for himself, and it took him thirteen years to complete the construction.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:1
Commentary on 1 Kings 7:1-12
(Read 1 Kings 7:1-12)
All Solomon's buildings, though beautiful, were intended for use. Solomon began with the temple; he built for God first, and then his other buildings. The surest foundations of lasting prosperity are laid in early piety. He was thirteen years building his house, yet he built the temple in little more than seven years; not that he was more exact, but less eager in building his own house, than in building God's. We ought to prefer God's honour before our own ease and satisfaction.