The Beginning:
Solomon, now established as king, begins to fulfill the charge associated with David’s reign: building a house for the name of the LORD. He forms a treaty with Hiram of Tyre to obtain cedar and skilled labor, and organizes Israel’s workforce to prepare materials. The project is framed as covenant faithfulness, not merely royal ambition.
The Middle:
Solomon builds the temple in Jerusalem and furnishes it with the altar, lampstands, tables, and the inner sanctuary (Most Holy Place). When the construction is completed, he assembles Israel’s leaders and brings the ark of the covenant into the temple with sacrifices and worship. As the priests withdraw, the cloud of the LORD’s glory fills the temple, showing God’s presence among his people. Solomon then prays publicly, blessing the LORD, recalling God’s promises to David, and asking that the temple be a place where prayers for forgiveness, justice, restoration, and mercy are heard.
The End:
Solomon dedicates the temple with offerings and a feast, and he exhorts the people to walk in God’s ways and keep the covenant. The LORD responds by affirming that he has heard Solomon’s prayer and that his name will be associated with the temple, while warning that persistent unfaithfulness would bring judgment and loss. The dedication concludes with national worship, celebration, and the sending of the people to their homes in joy.
This story centers on God’s covenant presence: the temple is built “for the name of the LORD,” emphasizing that God is not contained by a building, yet graciously chooses to dwell among his people. Solomon’s prayer highlights a theology of repentance and restoration—sin disrupts covenant life, but God invites prayer, confession, and forgiveness. The narrative also joins promise and responsibility: God’s faithfulness to David’s line is upheld, while Israel is called to continued obedience, showing that worship and covenant ethics belong together.
The temple’s design reflects common ancient Near Eastern temple features—an outer hall, main sanctuary, and inner holy room—yet Israel’s temple is distinctive in its aniconism: no image of the LORD is installed. Instead, the ark represents covenant relationship, and the focus remains on God’s “name” and glory rather than a physical deity statue, marking Israel’s worship as theologically unique within its cultural world.
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” — 1 Kings 8:27
Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.
1. What agreement did Solomon make with Hiram of Tyre while preparing to build the temple?
2. What happened when the priests withdrew after the ark of the covenant was brought into the temple?