Solomon Builds The Temple

Clark Clifford shares this reminiscence of his former boss, Harry S. Truman: Every morning at 8:30 the President would have a staff meeting. One day the mail clerk brought in a lavender envelope with a regal wax seal and flowing purple ribbons. Opening it, the President found a … More

Respect

The author begins chapter 6 by describing the building of the temple. It began in mid-spring during the fourth year of Solomon’s reign (v. 1). This was 480 years after Israel was delivered from Egypt. The temple was not made according to the pattern of the Tabernacle, which had been built in the wilderness and used at that time. It did, however, include a Holy Place and a Most Holy Place.

A description of the Temple is given as follows. It was 90 feet long, 30 feet wide and forty-five feet high (v. 2). The vestibule was 30 feet wide and extended the entire width of the Temple like a porch (v. 3). Although it was not massive in size (about the size of a large home today) it was strikingly beautiful in appearance (vv. 4-6). The Temple was made of white limestone, cedar and gold (vv. 14-22). The limestone was quarried beneath the northern wall of the City. Because this was to be a place of worship, Solomon apparently felt that the noise of construction should be held to a minimum. He had the stones cut and fitted at the quarry so they could be assembled quietly on the site (v. 7). The Temple faced east but the entrance was on the south (vv. 8-9). The inner walls of the side rooms were attached to the temple by cedar beams (v. 10).

During the temple construction God reaffirmed to Solomon the promise He had previously made to David. That was that He would “establish the throne of David’s kingdom forever” (vv. 11-13; II Sam. 7:13). This was with the stipulation that Israelites would obey Him (v.12). History reveals that they failed to do this and are still suffering the consequences today.

Application

The people’s honor and respect for God extended to every aspect of constructing the house of worship. All of this detail is recorded not to teach me how to build a church but to show me the importance of honor and respect for God and His dwelling place which is presently in my body.

I Kings 6:1-22 (English Standard Version)


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