Another of the deviations from right principles that finally led to the downfall of Israel's king was his yielding to the temptation to take to himself the glory that belongs to God alone. From the day that Solomon was entrusted with the work of building the temple, to the time of its completion, his avowed purpose was "to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel." 2 Chronicles 6:7. This purpose was fully recognized before the assembled hosts of Israel 66 at the time of the dedication of the temple. In his prayer the king acknowledged that Jehovah had said, "My name shall be there." 1 Kings 8:29.

En anden årsag til Israels konges endelige fald var, at han gav efter for fristelsen til selv at tage imod den ære, som alene tilkommer Gud. Fra det øjeblik, Salomo fik betroet ansvaret for at bygge templet, til det var fuldført, var det hans faste beslutning "at bygge Herrens, Israels Guds, navn et hus". 2Krøn. 6,7. Dette gav han også til kende over for de store skarer af israelitter, som var til stede ved templets indvielse. I sin bøn erkendte kongen, at Gud havde sagt, at hans navn ville bo der. 1Kong. 8,29.