Topical Bible: Temple: Solomon's: Called the Greater House

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The Temple of Solomon, often referred to as the "Greater House," holds a significant place in biblical history as the first permanent structure built for the worship of Yahweh by the Israelites. This grand edifice was constructed under the reign of King Solomon, the son of King David, and is detailed extensively in the Old Testament, particularly in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Historical Context and Construction

The vision for the Temple originated with King David, who desired to build a house for the Ark of the Covenant, which until then had been housed in a tent or tabernacle. However, God revealed to David through the prophet Nathan that his son Solomon would be the one to construct the Temple (2 Samuel 7:12-13). Solomon's Temple was built on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, a site of profound significance, as it was the location where Abraham had been willing to sacrifice his son Isaac (2 Chronicles 3:1).

The construction of the Temple began in the fourth year of Solomon's reign and took seven years to complete (1 Kings 6:1, 38). The project was a monumental undertaking, involving tens of thousands of laborers and craftsmen. Solomon enlisted the help of Hiram, king of Tyre, to supply cedar and cypress timber, as well as skilled artisans (1 Kings 5:6-10).

Architectural Features

The Temple was renowned for its grandeur and intricate design. It was approximately 60 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high (1 Kings 6:2). The structure was divided into several key areas: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place, also known as the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies housed the Ark of the Covenant and was separated from the Holy Place by a veil (1 Kings 6:16-19).

The interior of the Temple was adorned with gold, and the walls were lined with cedar wood, carved with figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers (1 Kings 6:29-30). The Temple also featured two bronze pillars named Jachin and Boaz, a large bronze basin called the "Sea," and ten bronze lavers for washing (1 Kings 7:15-39).

Dedication and Significance

Upon completion, Solomon dedicated the Temple with a grand ceremony, offering numerous sacrifices and praying for God's presence to dwell within the structure (1 Kings 8:22-53). The dedication was marked by the glory of the Lord filling the Temple, signifying divine approval (1 Kings 8:10-11).

The Temple served as the central place of worship for the Israelites, where they offered sacrifices and observed religious festivals. It was a symbol of God's covenant with Israel and His dwelling among His people. The Temple also played a crucial role in the spiritual life of the nation, as it was the focal point for prayer and pilgrimage.

Destruction and Legacy

Despite its magnificence, Solomon's Temple was not immune to the consequences of Israel's disobedience. In 586 B.C., the Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar, destroyed the Temple, leading to the Babylonian exile (2 Kings 25:8-10). The loss of the Temple was a profound tragedy for the Jewish people, symbolizing the severance of their direct connection with God.

The legacy of Solomon's Temple endures in biblical history and Jewish tradition. It set the pattern for the Second Temple, which was later built upon the return from exile, and it continues to be a subject of study and reverence in both religious and historical contexts.

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2 Chronicles 3:5
And the greater house he paneled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains.
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Library

The Story of Solomon and his Temple
... many years. The great work of Solomon's reign was the building of the
House of God. It was generally called the Temple. It was ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of solomon and.htm

The Court of the Gentiles. The Mountain of the House, in the ...
... to him, 'He that dwells in this temple comfort thee ... the space was greater, the use
was greater also ... gallery-walk, on this east side, was called "Solomon's porch ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 28 the court of.htm

Great Preparations for a Great Work
... The man whom Jesus called 'Thou fool!' not the wise king ... We note, too, that Solomon
was impelled to his great ... v.5). The motives of the great temple-builders of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/great preparations for a great.htm

Altar and Temple
... of the Exodus, and from the dedication of Solomon's Temple. ... ancestral fields before
they were called to leave ... they were pale shadows, the greater Joshua, who ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/altar and temple.htm

The Founder and Finisher of the Temple
... house that might represent the vanished glories of Solomon's Temple. ... may be perfectly
sure that the Temple which He ... God is 'faithful who hath called us to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the founder and finisher of.htm

A Greater than Solomon
... Come and trust Him to make you a temple of the ... any that were willing to die for Solomon;
certainly nobody ... could suffer martyrdom." You are not yet called to do ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/a greater than solomon.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... wonder of the world.'[1] 'A greater than Solomon ... temple in which every Christian
is called to worship ... The cost of Solomon's temple has been estimated at eight ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

The Description of Jerusalem.
... also bends again towards the east at Solomon's pool, and ... of it that stood northward
of the temple, and joined ... in the Grecian language, may be called "the New ...
/.../chapter 4 the description of.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... of restoration and elevation to a greater than the ... of God which the prophet had when
called to his ... mere prophecy of the rebuilding of Solomon's temple with the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Results of Transgression
... This house which I have built is called by Thy ... not as the temple of Jehovah, but
as "Solomon's temple.". Man cannot show greater weakness than by allowing men ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 4 results of transgression.htm