Topical Encyclopedia
The dedication of Solomon's Temple is a significant event in biblical history, marking the culmination of King Solomon's efforts to build a permanent dwelling place for the LORD in Jerusalem. This event is detailed primarily in
1 Kings 8 and
2 Chronicles 5-7, where the grandeur and spiritual significance of the Temple are highlighted.
Preparation and AssemblyThe dedication ceremony took place during the Feast of Tabernacles, a time when Israelite men were required to appear before the LORD. Solomon gathered the elders of Israel, the heads of the tribes, and the leaders of the ancestral families to Jerusalem for this momentous occasion (
1 Kings 8:1-2;
2 Chronicles 5:2-3). The Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God's presence, was brought from the City of David, Zion, to the newly constructed Temple. The Levites and priests carried the Ark, along with the sacred furnishings of the Tabernacle, into the inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place, and placed it beneath the wings of the cherubim (
1 Kings 8:3-7;
2 Chronicles 5:4-8).
Sacrifices and WorshipThe dedication was marked by an overwhelming number of sacrifices. Solomon and the assembly offered so many sheep and cattle that they could not be counted or numbered (
1 Kings 8:5;
2 Chronicles 5:6). The priests and Levites, arrayed in fine linen, played cymbals, harps, and lyres, while 120 priests sounded trumpets. The musicians and singers joined in unison to praise and thank the LORD, proclaiming, "For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever" (
2 Chronicles 5:13).
The Glory of the LORDAs the Ark was set in place and the worship reached its crescendo, the Temple was filled with a cloud, signifying the glory of the LORD. The priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God (
1 Kings 8:10-11;
2 Chronicles 5:13-14). This manifestation of divine presence affirmed God's acceptance of the Temple as His dwelling place among His people.
Solomon's Prayer of DedicationKing Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. He offered a profound prayer of dedication, acknowledging God's faithfulness to His covenant with David and asking for His continued presence and favor. Solomon prayed for the Temple to be a place where prayers would be heard, where justice would be administered, and where forgiveness would be granted (
1 Kings 8:22-53;
2 Chronicles 6:12-42). He recognized the limitations of the Temple, stating, "But will God indeed dwell on earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built" (
1 Kings 8:27).
Divine Response and CelebrationFollowing Solomon's prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the Temple (
2 Chronicles 7:1-2). The people of Israel witnessed this and bowed down with their faces to the ground, worshiping and giving thanks to the LORD, saying, "For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever" (
2 Chronicles 7:3).
The dedication of the Temple was followed by a fourteen-day celebration, during which Solomon and all Israel offered sacrifices and rejoiced before the LORD. Solomon offered 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats as peace offerings, and the king and all the people dedicated the house of God (
1 Kings 8:62-66;
2 Chronicles 7:4-10).
The dedication of Solomon's Temple stands as a pivotal moment in Israel's history, symbolizing the establishment of a central place of worship and the fulfillment of God's promises to David. The event underscores the importance of worship, prayer, and the presence of God among His people.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Kings 8:1Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.
Nave's Topical Index2 Chronicles 5:1
Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Chronicles 6:1
Then said Solomon, The LORD has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Chronicles 7:1
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Altar and Temple
... the most joyous feast of the year, crowded with reminiscences from the remote antiquity
of the Exodus, and from the dedication of Solomon's Temple. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/altar and temple.htm
Solomon's Reign.
... (5) Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple, I K. .8: II Chron. .6. Look
for a revelation of his character, religious spirit and conception of God. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xii solomons reign.htm
Feast of the Dedication. The Jews Attempt to Stone Jesus and He ...
... D John 10:22-42. ^d 22 And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: 23;
it was winter; and Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxxviii feast of the dedication.htm
At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.
... eight days on the anniversary of its Dedication.' [4389] The ... That He Who purified
the Temple, was its True ... Jesus spake to the people in Solomon's Porch.' There ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv at the feast.htm
The Temple and Its Dedication
... The time chosen for the dedication was a most favorable one ... many foreign nations,
assembled in the temple courts ... Solomon, with the elders of Israel and the most ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm
Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... Upon this altar Solomon, at the dedication of the temple, offered thousands, both
of oxen and of sheep, to signify, surely, the abundant worth and richness ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm
Jesus at the Feast of Dedication.
... JESUS AT THE FEAST OF DEDICATION. And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem;
it was winter; and Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon's porch. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/jesus at the feast of 2.htm
The New Temple and Its Worship
... Probably the ceremonial of dedication followed immediately on the ... of the former more
splendid Temple in the name ... were poor, if compared with Solomon's 'two and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the new temple and its.htm
The Good Shepherd: a Farewell Sermon
... of the dedication, and it was winter; the feast of dedication held, I ... every opportunity;
and we are told, he walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.' One ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the good shepherd a farewell.htm
Jesus, Son of God.
... XXII. JESUS, SON OF GOD. "And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: it
was winter; and Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon's porch. ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xxii jesus son of god.htm
Resources
What is the temple tax? | GotQuestions.orgHow many times did Jesus cleanse the temple? Why did He cleanse the temple? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the significance of the temple veil being torn in two when Jesus died? | GotQuestions.orgTemple: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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