1 Kings - Chapter 6

1 Kings 6.1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD. 1 Kings 6.2 And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits. 1 Kings 6.3 And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house. 1 Kings 6.4 And for the house he made windows of narrow lights. 1 Kings 6.5 And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about: 1 Kings 6.6 The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house. 1 Kings 6.7 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 6.8 The door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle chamber, and out of the middle into the third. 1 Kings 6.9 So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar. 1 Kings 6.10 And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar. 1 Kings 6.11 And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, 1 Kings 6.12 Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: 1 Kings 6.13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel. 1 Kings 6.14 So Solomon built the house, and finished it. 1 Kings 6.15 And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar, both the floor of the house, and the walls of the ceiling: and he covered them on the inside with wood, and covered the floor of the house with planks of fir. 1 Kings 6.16 And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place. 1 Kings 6.17 And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long. 1 Kings 6.18 And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen. 1 Kings 6.19 And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 1 Kings 6.20 And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar. 1 Kings 6.21 So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold. 1 Kings 6.22 And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold. 1 Kings 6.23 And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high. 1 Kings 6.24 And five cubits was the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other were ten cubits. 1 Kings 6.25 And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubims were of one measure and one size. 1 Kings 6.26 The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub. 1 Kings 6.27 And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house. 1 Kings 6.28 And he overlaid the cherubims with gold. 1 Kings 6.29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without. 1 Kings 6.30 And the floors of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without. 1 Kings 6.31 And for the entering of the oracle he made doors of olive tree: the lintel and side posts were a fifth part of the wall. 1 Kings 6.32 The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees. 1 Kings 6.33 So also made he for the door of the temple posts of olive tree, a fourth part of the wall. 1 Kings 6.34 And the two doors were of fir tree: the two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding. 1 Kings 6.35 And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work. 1 Kings 6.36 And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams. 1 Kings 6.37 In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif: 1 Kings 6.38 And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.

1 Kings : Chapter 6

The Construction of Solomon's Temple: A Reflection on the Glory of God

Chapter 6 of the Book of Kings immerses us in the majestic construction of Solomon's Temple, an architectural feat that reflects the splendor and grandeur of God. Through precise details regarding the Temple's dimensions, materials, and design, this account highlights the importance of the Holy of Holies, the most sacred place where the divine presence resides.

The Precision and Beauty of the Work

This passage reminds us not only of the precision of God's instructions, but also of the beauty of this structure, a symbol of the covenant between God and his people. The chapter emphasizes God's promise to dwell among us, thus strengthening the spiritual bond that unites the faithful to their Creator.

The Time of Construction and Divine Instructions

1 Kings 6 also discusses the duration of construction and the divine instructions received by Solomon. It is essential to understand that every aspect of this project was guided by the hand of God, making it a living testimony to His commitment to His people.

Correlated Bible Passages

To deepen our understanding of the themes of worship and the divine presence, let's explore five biblical passages that enrich our reflection on Solomon's Temple.

2 Chronicles 3:1

"So Solomon began to build the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared to his father David. It was at the place David had prepared, at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. »

This verse provides additional context on the site chosen for construction, highlighting the historical and spiritual significance of the location.

Acts 7:47

“But Solomon built him a house.”

In this passage, Stephen refers to the construction of the Temple, thus confirming the importance of this achievement in salvation history.

Hebrews 9:24

“For Christ did not enter a temple made by men, the image of the true one; He has entered heaven itself, now to appear before God on our behalf."

This verse contrasts Solomon's earthly sanctuary with the true heavenly sanctuary, emphasizing the eternal nature of the redemption brought by Christ.

Ezekiel 41:4

"He measured its length, which was twenty cubits, and its width, which was also twenty cubits, in front of the main sanctuary. And he said to me, 'This is the Most Holy Place.' » »

Ezekiel here describes the Most Holy Place, echoing the dimensions mentioned in 1 Kings 6:20, which underscores the sacred importance of this space.

1 Peter 2:5

“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to become a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. »

This passage from Peter uses the metaphor of the Temple to remind believers of their role in God's plan, inviting them to become builders of a spiritual house.

Conclusion

The construction of Solomon's Temple is a pivotal event that reminds us of the majesty of God and His desire to dwell among His people. Through these biblical passages, we are invited to reflect on our own spiritual commitment and our place in this great edifice of faith. As believers, we are called to be living stones in God's house, offering our lives as a spiritual sacrifice for His glory.