The Building of Solomon’s Temple

INTRODUCTION: Most people know that the plan for the tabernacle was given by God and, therefore, has a special design that portrays much Bible truth. Moses made the tabernacle according to the pattern that was shown to him in the mount (Exodus 25:40; Hebrews 8:5). What most people do not know is that God gave the pattern for the temple to David and that he gave it to Solomon. 1 Chronicles 28:11-12 tells us that David gave to Solomon “the pattern of all that he had by the spirit.” The passage lists the various aspects of the temple as part of this pattern that God had given him. Therefore, the pattern for Solomon’s temple comes from God and must have special spiritual significance. This lesson only gives a brief introduction to this wonderful house of the Lord.

1. BUILDING MATERIALS FOR THE TEMPLE (1 Kings 5:1-18)
1. Solomons Proposal to Hiram (1 Kings 5:1-6)
1. Hiram, king of Tyre, congratulated Solomon (1 Kings 5:1).
1. He was ever a lover of David.
1. He helped him build his house (2 Samuel 5:11).
2. That is all we know about this friendship during Davids lifetime.
2. He heard that Solomon had been anointed king.
3. He sent his servants to call on Solomon.
2. Solomon sent word back to Hiram (1 Kings 5:2-4).
1. Because of war, David could not build the temple (1 Kings 5:2-3).
2. But God had given Solomon rest on every side (1 Kings 5:4).
3. Solomons request of Hiram (1 Kings 5:5-6)
1. His purpose to build the house of the Lord (1 Kings 5:5)
2. His need for help from Hiram (1 Kings 5:6)
1. To hew cedar trees out of Lebanon
1. They also cut fir trees and algum trees (2 Chronicles 2:8).
2. Solomon spoke of the cedar as the first of the trees (1 Kings 4:33). The Bible speaks of cedar trees as tall (2 Kings 19:23) and excellent (Song of Solomon 5:15).
2. To have his servants work with Solomons servants
1. Solomon will give hire for Hirams servants.
2. But none can skill to hew timber like the Sidonians.
2. Hirams Agreement with Solomon (1 Kings 5:7-12)
1. Hiram rejoiced upon hearing from Solomon (1 Kings 5:7).
2. Hiram agreed to supply the timber for Solomon (1 Kings 5:8-10).
1. He considered the request of Solomon (1 Kings 5:8).
2. He agreed to fulfill the request (1 Kings 5:8).
3. The timber would be delivered (1 Kings 5:9).
1. From Lebanon to the sea in floats
2. To the place appointed by Solomon
4. Hiram fulfilled all of Solomons desire for timber (1 Kings 5:10).
3. Solomon gave Hiram wheat and oil for his service (1 Kings 5:11).
4. Solomon and Hiram made a league together (1 Kings 5:12).
1. According to the wisdom God had given Solomon
2. Creating peace between Solomon and Hiram
3. Solomons Organization of the Work (1 Kings 5:13-18)
1. Solomon sent workers to Lebanon (1 Kings 5:13-14).
1. He raised a levy of 30,000 men out of Israel (1 Kings 5:13).
2. He rotated them to work 10,000 at a time in Lebanon (1 Kings 5:14).
2. Solomon had numerous other servants (1 Kings 5:15-16).
1. He had 70,000 who bore burdens (1 Kings 5:15).
2. He had 80,000 who hewed wood in the mountains (1 Kings 5:15).
3. He put 3,300 officers over them (1 Kings 5:16).
3. Solomon gathered and prepared stones for the foundation (1 Kings 5:17).
1. Great stones
2. Costly stones
3. Hewed stones
4. The builders prepared timber and stone for the house (1 Kings 5:18).
2. THE OUTER STRUCTURE OF THE TEMPLE (1 Kings 6:1-14)
1. The Year Construction Began (1 Kings 6:1)
1. In the fourth year of Solomons reign
2. In the second month called Zif; after the Passover and Feast of Firstfruits; before the feast of Pentecost.
3. In the 480th year after the exodus of Israel out of Egypt
2. The Dimensions of the Temple (1 Kings 6:2-4)
1. The entire temple (1 Kings 6:2)
1. 60 cubits long (90 feet)
2. 20 cubits wide (30 feet)
3. 30 cubits high (45 feet)
2. The porch of the temple (1 Kings 6:3)
1. 20 cubits long; across the breadth of the temple
2. 10 30 cubits high (45 feet)cubits wide before the house
3. The provision for windows (1 Kings 6:4)
3. The Chambers around the Temple (1 Kings 6:5-10)
1. The three portions of the building (1 Kings 6:5)
1. The temple proper; the main chamber where the priests did their daily service
2. The oracle
1. A name for the most holy place (1 Kings 6:16)
2. The location of the ark of the covenant (1 Kings 6:19)
3. Related to the word oral and refers to the place where God spoke to His people (2 Samuel 16:23; Psalm 28:1-2)
3. The chambers; small rooms built around the temple and up against the walls of the temple
2. The building of the chambers (1 Kings 6:6)
1. Built in three stories around the temple
2. Each story up was one cubit broader than the story below it; this allowed the chambers to lean against the house of the temple without being an integral part of the temple building.
3. The stone for the house of the Lord (1 Kings 6:7)
1. Cut before it was brought to the site
2. Excluded the sound of hammers and axes while being built
4. The entrance into the chambers (1 Kings 6:8)
1. The door entered into the right side of the house.
2. Winding stairs went up to the second and third stories.
3. Entrance into the third chamber was through the second.
5. The house was finished with boards and beams of cedar (1 Kings 6:9).
6. The chambers were built against the house (1 Kings 6:10).
1. The chambers were five cubits high.
2. They rested against the house with timbers of cedar.
4. The Charge Concerning the Temple (1 Kings 6:11-14)
1. Solomons responsibility (1 Kings 6:11-12a)
1. To walk in Gods statutes
2. To execute Gods judgments
3. To keep Gods commandments
2. Gods promise (1 Kings 6:12b-13)
1. To perform His word with David
2. To dwell among the children of Israel
3. To not forsake the people of Israel
3. Solomon finished the house (1 Kings 6:14).
3. THE INNER STRUCTURE OF THE TEMPLE (1 Kings 6:15-38)
1. The Inner Covering of the Temple (1 Kings 6:15-22)
1. He covered the floor, walls, and ceilings with wood (1 Kings 6:15-16).
2. The temple proper was forty cubits long (1 Kings 6:17).
3. The cedar of the house was carved with knops and flowers (1 Kings 6:18).
4. The oracle of the temple was prepared (1 Kings 6:19-20).
1. Prepared for the ark of the covenant (1 Kings 6:19)
2. Its dimensions (1 Kings 6:20); foursquare, like the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:16)
1. 20 cubits long
2. 20 cubits wide
3. 20 cubits high
5. Overlaid with pure gold (1 Kings 6:21-22)
2. The Cheribims in the Oracle (1 Kings 6:23-30)
1. Two cherubims of olive tree for the oracle (1 Kings 6:23)
2. Each had a wingspan of ten cubits (1 Kings 6:24-25).
3. Each was ten cubits high (1 Kings 6:26).
4. Placed side by side, their wingspans took up the entire width of the oracle (1 Kings 6:27).
5. Overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:28)
6. Walls carved with cherubims, palm trees, and open flowers (1 Kings 6:29)
7. Floor overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:30)
3. The Entrances into the Temple (1 Kings 6:31-36)
1. Doors into the oracle were made of olive trees (1 Kings 6:31-32); 2 Chronicles 3:14 also mentions the veil.
2. Doors into the temple proper were made of fir wood (1 Kings 6:33-35).
3. The inner court was made with three rows of hewed stone and a row of cedar beams (1 Kings 6:36).
4. The Completion of the Temple (1 Kings 6:37-38)
1. The foundation was laid in the fourth year of Solomons reign (1 Kings 6:37).
2. The house was completed in the eleventh year of Solomons reign (1 Kings 6:38).
1. In the eighth month called Bul; after the cycle of feasts was completed for the year (see Leviticus 23)
2. Completing the temple in seven years; NOTE: The King James Bible was begun in 1604 (the 4th year of the 17th century) and completed in 1611 (the 11th year) after seven years of work.

CONCLUSION: It took seven years to complete, but the house of the Lord has been built. It must have been an amazing site for the people of God!