King Solomon, the son of David from the tribe of Judah, built the first temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6:1). Judah was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. These tribes were the descendants of Jacob’s twelve sons, and together they made up the nation of Israel. Solomon began building in the fourth year of his reign. He worked with King Hiram of Tyre, a Phoenician ruler, who supplied cedar and cypress wood, skilled craftsmen, and sailors to help with the project. The temple stood on Mount Moriah and took seven years to complete. Workers cut stones from quarries and shaped them far away so no hammers rang at the building site. The temple became God’s house and held the Ark of the Covenant.
The temple measured sixty cubits long (about 90 feet), 20 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. A porch stretched across the front. It was 20 cubits wide and 10 cubits deep. Two bronze pillars named Jachin and Boaz stood at the entrance, each 18 cubits high (1 Kings 7:15-22). They had carvings of lilies, pomegranates, and chains. Inside the main hall, cedar panels lined the walls, with carvings of palm trees, flowers, and cherubim. Gold covered every surface, even the floor.
Fun fact: historians estimate that more than 180,000 workers helped build the temple!
The Holy of Holies was at the back. It formed a perfect cube, twenty cubits on each side, with walls, floor, and ceiling covered in gold. Two cherubim made of olive wood stood there, each ten cubits tall. Their wings spread five cubits each, touching wall to wall and wingtip to wingtip. The Ark rested beneath them.
Outside stood a large bronze altar for sacrifices. It was twenty cubits square and ten cubits high. A huge bronze basin called the “Sea” held water for washing. It was ten cubits across and five cubits deep, set on twelve oxen statues facing each direction. Ten smaller basins nearby were used for rinsing meat. Golden menorahs (lampstands) lit the halls, and tables held loaves of showbread. The stones of the temple were polished white blocks, so smooth they seemed to fit without tool marks. The temple held many treasures, including gold vessels, vials, and musical instruments.
Solomon dedicated the temple during the Feast of Sukkot in the seventh month (2 Chronicles 7:8-10). Sukkot, also called the Feast of Tabernacles, is one of God’s Appointed Times. It reminded Israel of the years their ancestors lived in tents after leaving Egypt. During the feast, the Israelites built shelters from branches to remember God’s care in the wilderness. All Israel gathered together for the temple dedication, from as far north as Hamath to as far south as the border of Egypt.
As the temple was dedicated, the Levitical priests carried the Ark into the Holy Place. Shofars sounded, singers praised God, and a thick cloud filled the temple, showing God’s glory. The priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud. Solomon knelt on a bronze platform, raised his hands toward heaven, and prayed. He asked God to hear prayers, forgive sins, and bless the people. Fire fell from heaven and burned the offerings. Solomon sacrificed 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. Joy filled the air, and the feast lasted fourteen days.
Learn more about the life of King Solomon with our King Solomon Activity Book. Click the book cover to learn more:
