17 My father David had it in mind to build a house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 18 But the Lord said to my father David, "You did well to consider building a house for my name;

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 8:17-18

Commentary on 1 Kings 8:12-21

(Read 1 Kings 8:12-21)

Solomon encouraged the priests, who were much astonished at the dark cloud. The dark dispensations of Providence should quicken us in fleeing for refuge to the hope of the gospel. Nothing can more reconcile us to them, than to consider what God has said, and to compare his word and works together. Whatever good we do, we must look on it as the performance of God's promise to us, not of our promises to him.