阅读经文 

作为君王，所罗门最伟大的成就，就是为耶和华建了一座圣殿，这一刻可以说是以色列历史的巅峰。论到以色列国民实现他们尊崇耶和华的身份和目标，这也是他们最接近成功的一刻。藉着推崇神公正和怜悯的属性、和在敬拜中把一切荣耀归给神，他们便能像明灯照亮其他国家了。

所罗门王的祷告体现了这些基本的价值观。举国的人围绕着他，他跪下来，以表明认罪和顺服的态度；他回顾神对他父亲大卫的仁慈和信实，他祈求神聆听他们的祷告、赦免他们的罪、和引导他们每天的生活。这是以色列民历史上一个丰富美丽的祷告和时刻。

然而可悲的是，以色列民的历史——甚至是所罗门自己的生命——竟然不自觉地陷入分心和背叛的境况中。以色列民的表现，显明了他们实在需要一座更伟大的圣殿和一位更贤明的君王。

在敬拜时，我们以真正的君王耶稣为中心，我们在祂周围聚集，祂带领引导我们进入真正的敬拜和使命，“使地上的万民都知道惟独耶和华是神，并无别神。”（列上 8:60）事实上，没有任何一座圣殿足祂居住。

Solomon's greatest achievement as king was that he built a temple for the Lord. It was, arguably, the high point in the history of Israel. This was the moment when the people were closest to fulfilling their identity and purpose as a kingdom of people who honored the Lord. By promoting God's character of justice and mercy and giving God all glory in worship, they were becoming like a light to other nations.

Solomon's prayer embodied these essential values. The nation gathered around him. He knelt, modeling a posture of repentance and submission. He recalled the goodness and faithfulness of God to Israel and to his father, David. He pleaded for God to hear their prayers, forgive their sins, and bless and guide their everyday life. This was a rich and beautiful prayer and moment in Israel's history.

But, sadly, Israel's history—and even Solomon's own life—would slide into distraction and disobedience. And in that way the people demonstrated their need for a greater temple and a better king.

When we worship, we do so gathered around the true King at the center: Jesus. He leads and guides us into true worship and mission "so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other" (1 Kings 8:60). No temple can contain him.