Read the Passage: 1 Kings 5-7

Temple Planned (5:1–18)

Years before Solomon ascended to the throne, David had purposed to build a temple for God in Jerusalem (cf. 2 Sam. 7:1–3). While it first appeared that David would construct the temple, God soon told him, “You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight” (1 Chron. 22:8). Although it is possible to read this as a consequence for David’s hand in killing Uriah and others; it is also conceivable that since the temple was to be a place of peace and rest, God wanted it built by a man of peace and rest. Indeed, this is what Solomon implies at 1 Kings 5:3–4. In any event, although he was prohibited from building the temple, it is recorded at 1 Chron. 22–29 that David made extensive preparations for its construction. Solomon, then, merely had to carry out David’s prepared plans.

While David had assembled much material for the building of the temple, apparently he had not secured all of the cedar wood needed for its construction. Therefore, Solomon contacted Hiram, the king of Tyre, and proposed that Hiram provide him with cedar logs for building in exchange for wheat and oil for his household. This arrangement was wise, for each country was able to trade out of their surplus, and receive what they lacked. Moreover, such beneficial trade would maintain peace between both countries. Note that Hiram had earlier supplied David with the wood and the craftsmen needed for building his own palace (cf. 2 Sam. 5:11). 1 Kings 5:13–18 records that Solomon raised up a large labor force to assist with the building of the temple. This group consisted of 30,000 Israelites who worked in shifts, and 150,000 Canaanites who were forced laborers.

Temple Built (6:1–38)

Whereas 1 Kings 5 records how Solomon secured the materials and laborers needed to build the temple, 1 Kings 6 details the actual construction of the temple. 1 Kings 6:1 notes that Solomon began building the temple 480 years after the exodus, which would have been in 966 BC. 1 Kings 6:38 reports that the entire construction project took 7 years to complete. 1 Kings 6:2–3 records that the temple was 105 feet long, 35 feet wide, and 52 feet high. This was roughly twice the size of the portable tabernacle. The tabernacle and the temple each served as the centerpiece of the sacrificial system, and both had the same general structure, design, and components. Observe that during the construction of the temple, God appeared to Solomon and reiterated aspects of the Davidic Covenant (cf. 1 Kings 6:11–13), specifying that obedience would lead to God’s blessing for the nation.

1 Kings 6:14–38 describes some of the finer details of the temple. Note that both the tabernacle and the temple featured a similar three-part layout: an outer court, a holy place, and a most holy place for the ark of the covenant. However, in addition to being larger, the temple also included more structures like side rooms and ornate pillars. This passage records that while the temple was largely made out of wood and stone, “Solomon overlaid [everything] inside the temple with pure gold” (1 Kings 6:21). Furthermore, 1 Kings 6:23–28 records that two large angel statues stood in the most holy place, which ought not to be confused with the two angels on top of the mercy seat (cf. Exod. 25:18–20). Moreover, on the walls of the temple were carved cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. Such imagery was reminiscent of paradise, heaven, and the Garden of Eden.

Temple Furnished (7:1–51)

1 Kings 7 records others structures and furnishings that were constructed by Solomon. These included his own palace complex, which consisted of several large buildings (cf. 1 Kings 7:1–12), two massive bronze pillars that stood in front of the temple (cf. 1 Kings 7:13–22), various bronze furnishings for the temple—including a large sea, stands, basins, pots, shovels, bowls, carts, utensils (cf. 1 Kings 7:23–47), and various gold furnishing for the temple—including an altar, table, ten lampstands, basins, snuffers, bowls, spoons, fire pans, and hinges (cf. 1 Kings 7:48–51). In total, Solomon’s building projects took twenty years to complete and can be described as being massive, majestic, and breathtaking. Observe that just as a craftsman named Bezalel had directed the work of the tabernacle, so 1 Kings 7:13–14 notes a craftsman named Huram oversaw the building of the temple.

Application Questions:

1. Why did God not allow David to build the temple in Jerusalem (cf. 1 Kings 5:3–4; 1 Chron. 22:8–10, 28:3)?
2. When David told God he wanted to build Him a house, why did God respond that He would build David a house instead (cf. 2 Sam. 7:1–17)?
3. What are some of the similarities and differences you can observe between the tabernacle and the temple?
4. Can you draw any parallels between the temple, where God’s Spirit dwelt, and believers, in whom God’s Spirit now dwells?
5. In the narrative about Solomon’s building projects, can you detect any details that hint at his later downfall?