"And Solomon determined to build an house for the
name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom."
2Chron 2:1
480 years after Moses led Israel out
of Egypt King Solomon began to build a permanent dwelling place for God (1
Kings 6:1). The year was 966 BC. This temple was constructed in Jerusalem
on Mount Moriah (2Chron 3:1) and took 7 years to build (1 Kings6:38). This
Temple was more than twice the size of the Tabernacle that Israel had used
for nearly 500 years.
I). The Temple.
A). Size: 60 x 20 cubits
(90’x30’)
The Tabernacle was 20 x 10 cubits (30’x15’)
1). The Porch was 20cu. long and 120
cubits high (30’x180’)
2). The Most Holy Place was 20 x 20
cubits (30’x30’)
The Tabernacle’s holy of holies was
15’x15’
B). The Materials: ($56
Billion in modern currency)
1). Primarily pre-cut stone
"And the house, when it
was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought
thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of
iron heard in the house, while it was in building." 1 Kings
6:7
2). The floor and ceiling were
covered with cedar (fir) wood that was engraved and overlain with gold
(2Chron 4:7)
3). There were 2 cherubim placed in
the holy of holies which were made of Olive Wood and overlain with gold.
These stood 10 cu high (15’) and had wings of 5 cu each 7˝’ facing each
other.
4). Brasen altar: 20 x 20 cubits
(30’x30’) 2Chron 4:1
the Tabernacle’s altar was (7˝’x
7˝’x4˝’)
5). There were 10 Lavers for washing
sacrifices (5 on each side) 2Chron. 4:6
6). Molten Sea (like the laver in
the tabernacle). This was for priests to wash in. 30 cubits around, 5 cu
high (45’x7˝’)
It rested upon 12 oxen facing
outward, 3 on each side (North, East, West, South) 2Chron 4:2-5
7). 10 Candlesticks of gold. 5 on
right, 5 on left. 2Chr.4:7
8). 10 Tables 5 on each side with
100 basins of gold.
9). A golden altar (no description
given) 1 Kings 7:48
10). The Ark of the Covenant was
brought from the city of David (Zion, south of Jerusalem) where David had
left it. Solomon had the Ark moved to the Temple 2 Chr.5:2
C). Solomon Dedicated the
Temple.
"It came even to pass, as
the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard
in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice
with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised
the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever:
that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of
the LORD; 14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by
reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of
God." 2Chron 5:13-14
II). History of the Temple
and It’s Destruction.
1). Temple was built around 966 BC. Later, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon
besieged Jerusalem and took the Israelites captive and destroyed the
Temple (586 BC).
2). In 538 BC under decree of King
Cyrus Zerubbabel led a group of Israelites back to Jerusalem to rebuild
the Temple.
Josephus said, "the Holy of holies
was empty. Evidently the ark had been destroyed in 587 and was never
replaced. A single slab of stone marked it’s place. The Babylonian Talmud
asserts that 5 things were lacking in the new temple: the ark, the sacred
fire, the Shekinah, the Holy Spirit, and the Urim and Thummim" (Zondervan
Pictorial Dictionary).
3). In 168 BC Antiochus Epiphanes (a
Syrian King) slaughtered 10’s of thousands of Jews and stole the Temple
gold and offered swine on the altar.
4). 165 BC Judas Maccabeas led a
revolt to reclaim Jerusalem. They rededicated the Temple (the origin of
Hanukkah).
5). 63 BC Roman General Pompei
captured Jerusalem and within 9 years all the gold was stolen.
6). King Herod (d. 4 BC- Greek
Empire) helped to restore the Temple to it’s glory around 20-19 BC. This
effort took 46 years (John 2:20)
7). AD 70 Roman General Titus
destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple never to be rebuilt (until Christ
returns Ezekiel 40-48)
III). The New Testament
Temple.
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" 1 Cor 3:16
"What? know ye not that
your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye
have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price:
therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
1 Cor 6:19-20
"And what agreement hath the
temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God;
as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be
their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from
among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing; and I will receive you," 2 Cor
6:16-17
 John 10:9 I am the door: by me if
any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find
pasture.
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