Solomon’s temple furnishings are detailed in 1 Kings 6–7 and 2 Chronicles 3–4. The temple, built according to divine instructions, was a permanent structure to replace the portable Tabernacle and to house the Ark of the Covenant. Its furnishings were made with great care, using the finest materials and skilled craftsmanship to reflect the glory of the Lord.
Inside the Holy of Holies, Solomon placed two large cherubim made of olive wood, each ten cubits high, overlaid with gold, with wings outstretched to cover the Ark (1 Kings 6:23–28). The Ark of the Covenant, containing the tablets of the Law, was brought into this inner sanctuary and placed beneath the wings of the cherubim (1 Kings 8:6–7).
The Holy Place, just outside the Holy of Holies, contained several key furnishings:
The Altar of Incense – made of cedar and overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:20–22), used for burning incense before the Lord.
The Golden Lampstands – ten in total, five on each side, made of pure gold, to give light in the inner sanctuary (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:7).
The Table of Showbread – ten tables made of gold, on which the showbread was placed before the Lord (2 Chronicles 4:8).
Outside the temple in the courtyard were other significant furnishings:
The Bronze Altar – large and square, for burnt offerings (2 Chronicles 4:1).
The Sea of Bronze – a massive basin supported by twelve oxen, used by the priests for ceremonial washing (1 Kings 7:23–26; 2 Chronicles 4:2–5).
Ten Bronze Lavers – five on each side, used to wash the utensils for the sacrifices (2 Chronicles 4:6).
Various Utensils and Tools – including shovels, basins, and censers, all made of polished bronze or gold, for use in the sacrificial rituals (1 Kings 7:40–50).
These furnishings were designed to facilitate the worship and service of the Lord according to the Law given to Moses. Their grandeur and sacred function pointed to the holiness of God and the importance of approaching Him in purity and reverence.
The furnishings of Solomon’s temple reflect both the beauty of holiness and the foreshadowing of Christ, who fulfilled every aspect of the temple’s purpose as the ultimate High Priest, Sacrifice, and dwelling place of God among men (John 2:19–21; Hebrews 9:11–12).
