1 Kings 5:4

David could not build this house. Peace had to come first (v. 3), so that the Lord could make His lasting home among His people. While they wandered in the desert, the Lord joined Himself to them by the tabernacle, in their condition as pilgrims and travellers. Then came the wars of Canaan under Joshua and the judges; these did not stop until the reign of David. God cannot dwell in rest where there is war.

His name means "peaceable." David was the warrior king, the man who subdued all the enemies. When Solomon sent to Hiram he said "there is neither adversary nor misfortune," 1 Kings 5:4. Every hostile force had been subdued. This man of peace, in his glory and supremacy and in divine wisdom, takes the kingdom and orders it in every part according to the will of God.

As king of Israel he is in conflict with all the natural enemies of Israel, and here he shows his might. He defeats them, but he does not destroy or subdue them: even Amalek is no exception, as we shall see. He is very far from leaving, as his successor does, "neither adversary nor misfortune." He dies in battle, defeated by the Philistines... all the enemies have to be met afresh by the next king.

Under Solomon this peace was outward, material, so to speak. The Lord had given him rest on every side (v. 4). The blessings that filled his reign had the same material character. All the desirable things of earth were brought to him. He made them serve the glory of the Lord, who had firmly established his throne.

Of his own free will he had come to offer his services to Solomon's father, and his carpenters had built him a house (2 Sam. 5:11). The same willing spirit led him to send his servants to David's son because he had always loved his father (v. 1). How could he fail to be welcomed by the king of glory when he had always loved the king of grace?

So peace, lasting peace for this weary world, will not arrive at the moment of the Lord's appearing... like a magician's wand producing an instant deliverance. But the final victory is certain. In Solomon's reign there was neither adversary nor misfortune (1 Kings 5:4), and so it will be under the rule of Christ.

As long as he cared for the interests of the LORD, his fame and glory were untarnished. He could say, "the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune" (1 Kings 5:4). But when the honour of the LORD's name was forgotten, and the brightness of his glory was stained, the LORD stirred up adversaries for him (see 1 Kings 11:14, 23, 26).

We can afford to see the complete failure and ruin of the creature, in every shape and form. We can do so because we know for sure that God will be God, despite everything. He will have the upper hand in the end, and then all will be, must be right. God shall be all in all, and there shall be neither enemy nor misfortune throughout that vast universe of bliss.