After the dedication of the Temple, the Lord "appeared to him a second time," as at Gideon, ie. in a dream.   Actually this was the third message of God to Solomon, counting the word of the Lord spoken to him in 1 Kings 6:11-13.  Like the first message, the third was a blessing and a warning. 

​

        --  God has consecrated the Temple Solomon built, "by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there" (1 Kings 9:3).   

​

        --  He repeats His promise to David to establish the throne forever, if Solomon walks with integrity of heart.

​

        --  But if Solomon and his offspring turn away from God, then both Israel and the Temple will be destroyed.

​

        "Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. And though this temple is now imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and will scoff and say, 'Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?'" (1 Kings 9:7-8)

​

Significantly, the humiliation of Israel will be revealed before the foreign nations, the very people they were meant to teach the ways of God.