The First Temple, also known as Solomon's Temple, holds a significant place in biblical history as the central place of worship for the Israelites. The vision for this sacred edifice was conceived by King David, who, despite his deep desire to build a house for the Lord, was divinely instructed that the task would be fulfilled by his son, Solomon.

David's Desire and Divine Directive

King David, a man after God's own heart, expressed his earnest desire to construct a temple for the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God's presence among His people. In 2 Samuel 7:1-2 , David articulates his intention: "When the king had settled into his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, 'Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.'"

However, God communicated through the prophet Nathan that David would not be the one to build the temple. Instead, God promised to establish David's dynasty and declared that his offspring would construct the temple. In 1 Chronicles 22:8-10 , David recounts God's words: "But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'You have shed much blood and fought many wars. You are not to build a house for My Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight. But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for My Name.'"

David's Preparations and Charge to Solomon

Despite being prohibited from building the temple himself, David took extensive measures to prepare for its construction. He amassed vast quantities of materials, including gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, and organized the Levites and priests for temple service. David's preparations are detailed in 1 Chronicles 22:14-16 : "Now behold, with great effort I have provided for the house of the LORD 100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron too great to be weighed. I have also provided timber and stone, and you may add to them. You have many workers: stonecutters, masons, and carpenters, as well as men skilled in every kind of work—gold, silver, bronze, and iron—beyond number. Now begin the work, and may the LORD be with you."

David's charge to Solomon was both a blessing and a solemn responsibility. In 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 , David exhorts Solomon: "As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. Consider now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it."

Solomon's Commission and the Temple's Significance

Solomon embraced the charge with reverence and dedication, leading to the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, a monumental achievement in Israel's history. The temple became the focal point of Israelite worship, housing the Ark of the Covenant and serving as the site for sacrifices and festivals.

The First Temple symbolized God's covenant with Israel and His dwelling among His people. It stood as a testament to the fulfillment of God's promises to David and the establishment of a place where His name would be honored. Solomon's Temple, with its grandeur and sacred purpose, remained central to Israel's religious life until its destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BC.1 Chronicles 22:6,7,11
Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That ...
... the priests and the Levites; and having first numbered the ... take care of the building
of the temple, and out ... to sing to the instruments which David had prepared ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 that david made.htm

David's Prohibited Desire and Permitted Service
... We may almost say that he was the first to give ... of the case, in so far as building
the Temple is concerned. ... that presence of God with us which David prayed for ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture g/davids prohibited desire and permitted.htm

One Worker Preparing for Another
... one received; but he must not forget the first man, who ... David did one thing more;
before he died, he gave ... people, to carry out the work of building the temple. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/one worker preparing for another.htm

Concerning the Wife of Solomon; Concerning his Wisdom and Riches ...
... so afterward it came to pass that the first ten thousand ... of the strangers who were
left by David, who were ... stones for the foundations of the temple, and that ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning the wife.htm

The History of Solomon
... First on Joab that had been prince of his father's host ... like as I have said to thy
father David, saying: There ... of gold, which he had spent on the temple and his ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of solomon.htm

David's Sorrow.
... The first man cried as he came, "All is well," but ... had been built there, and looking
upon it, David said,. ... and he prepared to build there the temple of Solomon ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxv davids sorrow.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... public proclamation; "and He hath charged me to ... Sheshbazzar), a descendant of King
David, Cyrus placed ... The magnificence of the first temple, and the imposing ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm

The Best of All, God is with Us
... enquire, "What shall I do?" Why, do the first thing that ... God, and not daring to help
in the temple building, she ... And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/the best of all god.htm

The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to ...
... their beloved Jerusalem, destroyed their Temple, and carried ... The careful reader would
at first conclude that Israel ... appear who was to occupy David's throne and ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter three the unmistakable honesty.htm

Introduction.
... only the ideal earthly king of David's line ... in the destruction of Jerusalem, having
first committed to ... seat, and other sacred things appertaining to the temple. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/introduction.htm

What was Herod's temple? | GotQuestions.org

What was Zerubbabel's temple/the second temple? | GotQuestions.org

What was Solomon's temple / the first temple? How many temples were there? | GotQuestions.org

Temple: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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