The First Temple, also known as Solomon's Temple, holds a significant place in biblical history as the first permanent structure built for the worship of Yahweh by the Israelites. It was constructed under the reign of King Solomon, the son of King David, and is a central focus in the narrative of Israel's religious and national identity.

Divine Mandate and Preparation

The construction of the First Temple was a fulfillment of a divine mandate given to King David, Solomon's father. Although David had the desire to build a house for the Lord, he was not permitted to do so because he was a man of war and had shed blood (1 Chronicles 22:8). Instead, God chose Solomon, a man of peace, to undertake this sacred task. David relayed God's instructions to Solomon, emphasizing the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's commandments as prerequisites for the successful completion of the Temple (1 Chronicles 22:11-13).

Solomon's Special Instructions

Solomon was specially instructed by God regarding the construction of the Temple. In a divine encounter, God appeared to Solomon and provided him with wisdom and understanding, which were crucial for the task ahead (1 Kings 3:5-12). Solomon's wisdom became renowned, and it was instrumental in organizing the labor and resources needed for the Temple's construction.

The detailed plans for the Temple were given to David by the Spirit, and he passed these on to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:11-19). These plans included specifications for the Temple's dimensions, the materials to be used, and the design of its furnishings. Solomon was to follow these divine blueprints meticulously, ensuring that the Temple would be a fitting dwelling place for the presence of God.

Construction and Dedication

The construction of the Temple began in the fourth year of Solomon's reign and took seven years to complete (1 Kings 6:1, 38). The Temple was built on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, the site where Abraham had been willing to sacrifice Isaac (2 Chronicles 3:1). Solomon employed a vast workforce, including skilled laborers from Israel and craftsmen from Tyre, to ensure the Temple's grandeur and beauty.

Upon completion, Solomon dedicated the Temple with a grand ceremony, offering numerous sacrifices and leading the nation in prayer. During the dedication, the glory of the Lord filled the Temple, signifying God's approval and presence (1 Kings 8:10-11). Solomon's prayer of dedication emphasized the Temple as a place of prayer and supplication, where God's people could seek forgiveness and guidance (1 Kings 8:22-53).

Significance and Legacy

The First Temple served as the central place of worship for the Israelites and housed the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's covenant with His people. It was a place where the Israelites could offer sacrifices, celebrate religious festivals, and seek atonement for their sins.

Solomon's Temple stood for nearly four centuries before its destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Despite its eventual destruction, the Temple's legacy endured, symbolizing the enduring covenant between God and Israel and foreshadowing the coming of a greater temple in the person of Jesus Christ, who declared Himself to be the true temple (John 2:19-21).

The First Temple remains a profound testament to Solomon's obedience to God's instructions and the fulfillment of God's promises to David and Israel.2 Chronicles 3:3
Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was three score cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... created on the eve of the first Sabbath ... The hurtful spirits are specially designated
as Ruchin, Mazziqin ... in the construction of the Temple, Solomon was anxious ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... creed Ulfilas, bishop of the Goths, then first gave his ... Lord, had been quiet while
the temple was being ... Martin carefully instructed them that there was nothing ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm

Letter cvii. To Laeta.
... her gather rules of life out of the proverbs of Solomon. ... she did not venture to come
to the temple alone or to appear before the Lord empty, but first paid to ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cvii to laeta.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... appoints the account of the consecration of Solomon's Temple as festival ... of the Covenant
when he was blessed in the Temple. ... I heard her weep for the first time ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the ...
... And to begin almost with the very first commencement of the Church: the Patriarchs
had been ... Accordingly, when Solomon dedicated the temple, one of ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 of the true.htm

The Tabernacle of the Most High
... The temple of Solomon, however beautiful for ... indefatigable industry which has been
ever characteristic of the ministers of this church, he first projected a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the tabernacle of the most.htm

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of ...
... all men plainly see That in the holy temple there was ... ships, void of all care, Or,
(as great Solomon hath wisely ... are not free; Pluck thou the beam first out of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse of the building.htm

A Paradox
... his own people, stood in the temple at the ... these fine gentlemen have been the first
to deny ... a whole, perpetrated the greatest folly, we should mention Solomon. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/a paradox.htm

The Revelation of St. John the Divine
... the Bowls: xv.5-xix.10."The heavenly temple opens, and ... to seven Churches only in
this order: First to the ... of Wisdom written by the friends of Solomon in his ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xxv the revelation of.htm

Of Civil Government.
... Solomon says""For the transgression of a land, many are ... impious and sacrilegious
prince, let us first call up ... the golden calf, they forsook the temple of God ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.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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