The building of the first temple, commonly called Solomon’s Temple, was one of the most important events in Israel’s history. It was the fulfillment of a promise, the expression of a nation’s worship, and a shadow of greater things to come. Commissioned by David but built by Solomon, the temple stood as the earthly house of the LORD, the place where His name would dwell and sacrifices would be made.
This study walks through the biblical account in 1 Kings 5–8 and 2 Chronicles 2–7. We will explore the theological implications of the temple and highlight the prophetic fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
“Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David.” (2 Chronicles 3:1)
David’s Heart for God
Though the temple is named after Solomon, its origin lies in the heart of David. After God gave David rest from all his enemies, he desired to build a permanent house for the ark of the covenant.
“See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.” (2 Samuel 7:2)
But God responded through Nathan the prophet:
“Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? …The LORD tells you that He will make you a house.” (2 Samuel 7:5, 11)
David would not build the temple, his son would. Yet David did not sulk. Instead, he gathered materials, drew up plans, and charged Solomon to finish the work.
“Now, my son, may the LORD be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the LORD your God, as He has said to you.” (1 Chronicles 22:11)
David gave generously and encouraged Israel to do the same. In 1 Chronicles 29, he leads by example:
“Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God over and above all that I have prepared…” (1 Chronicles 29:3)
The temple began with a heart of worship, sacrifice, and vision… even before a single stone was laid.
Solomon’s Commission
Solomon was young and inexperienced, but God gave him wisdom (1 Kings 3:12). He wisely sought a peaceful alliance with Hiram, king of Tyre, to acquire the famed cedars of Lebanon.
“And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty together.” (1 Kings 5:12)
The project required thousands of workers: laborers, stonecutters, craftsmen. The scope was massive. This was no ordinary building, this was the dwelling place for the name of the LORD.
“Behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the LORD my God.” (1 Kings 5:5)
The language is intentional. Solomon did not say he was building a house to contain God, for even he confessed:
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27)
The temple was not about containing God, it was about covenant worship. It was where God’s name would dwell, and His presence would meet His people.
The Construction
The temple was built with exacting detail. Every measurement and material had spiritual significance. The structure itself took seven years to complete (1 Kings 6:38), and the building was done in reverent silence:
“And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.” (1 Kings 6:7)
This verse alone speaks volumes. God’s work was done with reverence and order. The silence emphasized holiness, awe, and the fear of the LORD.
The interior was overlaid with pure gold (1 Kings 6:22), and intricate carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers adorned the walls. Every item… the altar, the lampstands, the table of showbread, was crafted with the finest materials, showing that only the best belonged to the LORD.
“The house which King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty wide, and thirty high.” (1 Kings 6:2)
The Most Holy Place… the inner sanctuary, held the ark of the covenant beneath two massive cherubim:
“For the cherubim spread their two wings over the place of the ark… and they overshadowed the ark and its poles.” (1 Kings 8:7)
Everything pointed to the holiness of God and His desire to dwell among His people.
The Dedication
Once the temple was completed, Solomon assembled the elders and priests to bring the ark into the Most Holy Place. The moment was climactic.
“And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.” (1 Kings 8:10–11)
This was the same Shekinah glory that filled the tabernacle in Moses’ day (Exodus 40:34–35). God had accepted the temple, and His presence filled it with overwhelming majesty.
Solomon then stood and prayed a profound prayer of dedication (1 Kings 8:22–53). He acknowledged God’s faithfulness, pleaded for His mercy, and asked that the temple would be a place where prayers would be heard, not only from Israelites, but even foreigners who feared God.
“Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.” (1 Kings 8:30)
The temple became a place of prayer, repentance, and reconciliation. Solomon then blessed the people and offered sacrifices by the thousands.
“Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD… So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.” (1 Kings 8:62–63)
What the Temple Signified
The temple was the center of worship, the place where sin was atoned for through sacrifice. But it was always a shadow of something greater.
From Eden, to the tabernacle, to the temple… God’s heart has always been to dwell with man. The temple was a holy meeting place, but it was temporary. The ultimate fulfillment would come in Christ:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory…” (John 1:14)
The Greek word for “dwelt” is σκηνόω (*skenoo*) which means literally, “to tabernacle.” Jesus IS the greater temple.
The blood of bulls and goats could never truly take away sin (Hebrews 10:4). They were only types, pointing to the perfect sacrifice of Christ:
“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 10:19)
In the New Covenant, the physical temple was replaced by a spiritual one.
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
Believers are now the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. We carry His presence, not in a building, but in our very being.
Warnings and Future Glory
Solomon’s temple stood for centuries but was eventually destroyed by the Babylonians due to Israel’s sin (2 Kings 25:9). God warned Solomon:
“But if you or your sons at all turn from following Me… then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them; and this house… I will cast out of My sight.” (1 Kings 9:6–7)
This warning was fulfilled. The people turned to idols, and the temple became defiled. Even so, God promised that a greater glory would come:
“The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former… And in this place I will give peace.” (Haggai 2:9)
That glory came in Christ. He is the Prince of Peace, and He is the fulfillment of all that the temple represented.
My Final Thoughts
The building of Solomon’s temple was one of the high points in Israel’s history, but not because of its gold or grandeur. Its greatness was found in the presence of the LORD. It was where heaven touched earth. But the true glory is not in the stone, but rather in the shadow it cast toward the coming of Christ.
Today, we are God’s temple. He calls us to walk in holiness, reverence, and devotion… just as Solomon and Israel did in those early days.
Let us live as those who carry the presence of God. Let our lives be filled with worship, our hearts be altars of sacrifice, and our churches places where the glory of the Lord is welcomed. The temple may no longer stand in Jerusalem, but the living Church is being built into a spiritual house for the glory of His name.
“You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)
Let us honor the King who dwells… not in temples made with hands, but in the hearts of the redeemed. Amen.
