The Temple of Solomon, often referred to as the First Temple, holds a significant place in biblical history as the first permanent structure built for the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. It was constructed in Jerusalem during the reign of King Solomon, the son of King David, and served as the central place of worship and sacrifice for the Israelites.

Biblical Foundation and Construction

The concept of a permanent temple was first envisioned by King David, who desired to build a house for the Lord. However, God revealed to David through the prophet Nathan that his son Solomon would be the one to construct the temple. In 1 Chronicles 28:6, David recounts God's promise: "He said to me, 'Solomon your son is the one who will build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father.'"

The construction of the temple began in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, as detailed in 1 Kings 6:1: "In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD." The temple was completed in seven years, a testament to the dedication and resources Solomon invested in this sacred project.

Design and Features

The temple's design was grand and intricate, reflecting the glory and majesty of God. It was built on Mount Moriah, the site where Abraham had been willing to sacrifice Isaac, and where David had purchased the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (2 Chronicles 3:1). The temple's dimensions and materials are meticulously described in 1 Kings 6 and 2 Chronicles 3-4. It was approximately 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high, constructed using cedar wood from Lebanon and adorned with gold.

The temple consisted of several key areas: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). The Most Holy Place housed the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence among His people. The temple also featured two bronze pillars named Jachin and Boaz, a large bronze basin called the Sea, and various altars and utensils for worship and sacrifice.

Dedication and Significance

The dedication of Solomon's Temple was a momentous event, marked by prayer, sacrifice, and divine presence. In 1 Kings 8:10-11, it is recorded that "when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD." Solomon's prayer of dedication, found in 1 Kings 8:22-53, emphasizes the temple as a place of prayer, repentance, and divine encounter.

The temple served as the spiritual heart of Israel, where the annual feasts were celebrated, and the sacrificial system was maintained. It was a tangible representation of God's covenant with Israel and His desire to dwell among His people.

Destruction and Legacy

Despite its grandeur and significance, Solomon's Temple was eventually destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, as a consequence of Israel's disobedience and idolatry. This event marked a pivotal moment in Jewish history, leading to the Babylonian exile. The temple's destruction fulfilled prophetic warnings and underscored the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant.

The legacy of Solomon's Temple endures in its role as a precursor to the Second Temple, rebuilt after the exile, and in its typological foreshadowing of the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity through Jesus Christ. The temple remains a symbol of divine presence, worship, and the hope of restoration.1 Chronicles 29:2
Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colors, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 23:9
Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.
Nave's Topical Index

The Account of the Building of Solomon's Temple Contains Serious ...
... 24. The Account of the Building of Solomon's Temple Contains Serious ... The holy house,
too, was got ready in peace and was to be built for God without hammer ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/24 the account of the.htm

The Temple Spoken of by Christ is the Church. Application to the ...
... the son of David, who builds this house, is a ... the truth of each statement made about
the temple. ... Christ will be Solomon, which means "Peaceful," [5121] and the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/23 the temple spoken of.htm

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

Altar and Temple
... or have round it the courts of the Lord's house. ... narrates the laying of the foundations
of the Temple. ... to be consulted, and Hiram and Solomon worked together ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/altar and temple.htm

Further Spiritualizing of Solomon's Temple-Building.
... King Solomon and wrought all his works." Here I ask whether Solomon can be ... the Church,
may be found having the plan of the spiritual house and temple of God ...
/.../25 further spiritualizing of solomons.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... At last the temple planned by King David, and built by Solomon his son, was completed.
"All that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the Lord ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

Great Preparations for a Great Work
... Solomon uses a remarkable expression as to the purpose of the Temple. It is to be
'an house for the name of the Lord.' That is not the same as 'for the Lord ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/great preparations for a great.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... Most stately and magnificent is the fabric of God's house, yielding admirable ... surpassing
the splendour of its ancient type, the temple of Solomon, which was ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That ...
... you know that I intended to build a house for God ... me in the kingdom, should build
a temple for him ... be not seditious one against another, now Solomon has received ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 that david made.htm

The Promised King and Temple-Builder
... for Jehovah was about to build a house, that is ... of the two things, God's building
and Solomon's, is not ... an essential preliminary to the rearing of the Temple. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture f/the promised king and temple-builder.htm

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