19 Solomon's Temple Facts: Learn All About God's Royal Palace

The Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, is one of the most lavish buildings ever constructed in history.

Solomon's temple was constructed on Mount Moriah by King Solomon. King Solomon's Temple, as per the Hebrew Bible, was the first temple ever to be constructed in ancient Jerusalem.

This temple served as the House of God until it was destroyed by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BC. Continue reading to learn more interesting facts about one of the most infamous temples in history.

History Of Solomon's Temple

The construction of this very temple began during the fourth year of Solomon's reign and finished seven and a half years later in ancient Israel. This location, Mount Moriah, was specifically selected by King David, the predecessor of King Solomon, who chose it because he wanted to offer his respect to God.

But the location of the temple is under speculation as no one knows its exact location.

It is still believed to be somewhere in ancient Jerusalem. Here are a few interesting facts about the History of Solomon's temple.

David, Israel's second king, wished and planned to construct a home for the Lord, but the Lord spoke through Nathan the Prophet, denying the proposed gift, saying that he was not to build a house for Lord's Name because he was a warrior and had shed blood.

David was given permission to obtain materials for the temple, which Solomon, his son, was to construct. King Solomon began to work on the project soon after assuming the throne.

He had the designs, instructions, and money that David had left for the project. King Hiram provided King Solomon with the majority of the equipment he needed to construct the temple.

When the temple was done, King Solomon carried the ark of the Lord's covenant to it and summoned all of Israel, where they sacrificed a large number of lambs and calves.

It remained for more than four centuries until it was destroyed around 586-587 BCE by the Neo-Babylonian Empire under the second Babylonian monarch, Nebuchadnezzar II, although the second temple was rebuilt in 519 BC, which is when this event occurs on the Biblical Timeline.

There are references in the Hebrew Bible as well, regarding King Solomon's temple's restoration, in Ezra 1: 1 – 4 and Ezra 1: 5, 6. Aside from the Holy Bible, other religious books have provided insight into this temple. Details can be found in the Hebrew Bible and the Holy Quran.

Myths Related To Solomon's Temple

King Solomon's Temple was the first temple ever to be known as the holy place of God. Even in extra-Biblical traditions, there is no proof of the existence of King Solomon's Temple next to the King's Palace.

Furthermore, due to the Temple Mount's tremendous political sensitivity, no substantial archaeological investigations have ever taken place, which leads to the existence of a lot of myths. Here are some myths related to King Solomon's Temple.

One myth claims that this place was built using mystical powers and it is not possible to reproduce the structure with the help of today's modern technology. The main belief is that massive stones weighing several tons or more were levitated using telekinesis and placed together with nothing but one's bare hands.

While there is no scientific basis behind such a claim, there is no denying the fact that perhaps almighty God might have really helped in building this majestic house of worship.

Another myth says that Solomon somehow managed to build a special tunnel that connects his palace to Jerusalem's city center through which he could enter the temple right from his bedroom whenever he wanted without anybody knowing about it. There are even many versions of the story that say that this tunnel runs until the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Religious Significance Of Solomon's Temple

There is no question that religion plays a significant role in the life of most people.

This may be because they believe that if they follow what their religion teaches, then it would lead to eternal and peaceful life after death. While there are many different religions, perhaps Christianity and Judaism can be considered the oldest among these groups.

And since Solomon's Temple has played a major role in both religions during their early stages, it is well understood that King Solomon's Temple also holds much historical significance as well.

King Solomon's temple was affiliated with the religion Yahwism, which is a name given to the religion of ancient Israel.

King Solomon's Temple, near the King's Palace, has a connection with Archangel Michael, who is known as the protector and leader of all angels serving God, as Christian beliefs state.

God appeared to Solomon after he finished constructing the temple, according to the Bible, and stated that he had heard the prayer and plea that Solomon had made before him. His eyes and his heart will always be there (at the temple Solomon has made).

God also reminded Solomon about the significance of keeping God's promise in order to reap its rewards rather than its penalties. This was necessary because God bestowed upon Solomon power and money, which frequently caused people to forget the promise God had taken from them.

The fall of the temple and the Babylonian exile were considered as fulfillments of Biblical predictions, which bolstered Judaic religious convictions and began the Israelites' shift from Yahwism's polytheistic beliefs to Judaism's monotheistic beliefs.

Structural Features Of Solomon's Temple

The depiction of Solomon's Temple in I Kings and II Chronicles is incredibly precise, but any attempt to reconstruct it has been hampered by several challenges. The description contains a number of technical phrases whose meaning is not known to today's generation. Read further to discover some interesting facts about the architecture of King Solomon's Temple.

The Biblical account of the temple constructed by King Solomon on Mount Moriah is classified as a langbau structure by archaeologists. That is a rectangular structure with a larger length than width.

King Solomon's Temple is characterized as a threefold structure, with three units: the ulam (porch), the heikal (Holy Place), and the debir (the Holy of Holies).

Jachin and Boaz, two bronze pillars, are there on the porch or the ulam. The heikal or the Holy Place is the main religious room. The debir or the Holy of Holies is the sacred room where the Ark of the Lord's Covenant was placed.

There were sculpted cherubim, palm palms, and flowers within the temple. This serves as a reminder of the Garden of Eden, which humanity was no longer able to inhabit due to their sin.

There is a movable bronze basin, a table for the Bread of the Presence, and ten lampstands inside the temple.

FAQs

What was found in Solomon's Temple?

According to the Tanakh, the temple housed the Ark of the Covenant. It is said that he took the 10 commandments from Kiriath Jearum to Israel before they were transferred to Solomon's residence in Jerusalem.

Who built Solomon's Temple?

King Solomon paid for the temple with his own money, and scripture claims that it was built by 70,000 bearers and 80,000 stonecutters.

When was Solomon's Temple destroyed?

In 586 BCE, Solomon’s Temple was destroyed by the Neo-Babylonian Emporor.

Who could enter the Temple of Solomon?

Priests were the only ones that had been allowed to enter the temple.

Why did Solomon build the temple and not David?

King David couldn't build the temple as the prophet Nathan communicated the words of God to him.

How did Solomon build the temple without tools?

King Solomon didn't have any tools, but he had the plans, instructions, and money that David left for it. He acquired most of the tools to build the temple from Hiram, King of Tyre.

What did Solomon's Temple symbolize?

The temple represented the Israelites' ability to return to heaven through the temple.

What happened to all the gold in Solomon's Temple?

When the Babylonians came, they took away everything that was worth taking, including the gold, and then they set the temple on fire. The Bible says: 'he set fire to the Temple of Yahweh, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem' (2 Kings 25:9).

How many times was Solomon's Temple rebuilt?

The temple was rebuilt at least two or three times.

Does Solomon's Temple still exist?

There is no confirmation for the existence of Solomon's Temple, even in extra-Biblical narratives. Furthermore, due to the high political sensitivity, no serious archaeological digs have ever taken place on Temple Mount.

How old was Solomon when he became king?

There is no clear indication of the age at which Solomon became the king, but his reign was from 970-931 BCE.