June 11

1 Kings 5-6; 2 Chronicles 2-3 (biblegateway.com)

Building for the Glory of God

The construction of Solomon’s temple marks a significant moment in Israel’s history—a fulfillment of promises, a symbol of God’s presence, and a testimony to the nation’s devotion. In 1 Kings 5–6 and 2 Chronicles 2–3, we witness the careful preparations and awe-inspiring execution of this sacred project. These chapters record more than architectural details; they reveal the heart behind the work—a desire to honor the Lord with excellence, reverence, and obedience. Solomon’s wisdom and leadership, the collaboration of nations, and the attention to beauty and holiness all point to a greater reality: God dwells with His people, and He is worthy of our best. These passages prompt us to consider what we are building in our own lives and whether it reflects His glory.

1 Kings 5 – Solomon’s Preparations and Covenant with Hiram

In 1 Kings 5, Solomon begins making formal preparations for the temple that his father, David, longed to build. A central feature of this chapter is Solomon’s diplomatic engagement with Hiram, king of Tyre, reflecting both international cooperation and God’s provision through unexpected partnerships. Solomon reminds Hiram that David was prevented from building a house for the Lord due to constant warfare (v. 3), but now, under Solomon’s reign, Israel enjoys peace “on every side” (v. 4), a fulfillment of God’s promise. Solomon wisely leverages this season of peace to honor the Lord.1

The detailed trade agreement in verses 6-11 highlights Solomon’s administrative skill. He requests cedar and cypress timber from Lebanon to be floated by sea and delivered, while offering wheat and oil as compensation. Hiram praises the God of Israel (v. 7), acknowledging Solomon’s wisdom as divinely given. Solomon then organizes a vast labor force of 30,000 men working in shifts (v. 13). Solomon had seventy thousand carriers and eighty thousand stonecutters in the hills, as well as thirty-three hundred foremen who supervised the project and directed the workers (v. 15). This scale reveals the magnitude of the temple project and the extent to which it drew national resources and effort.

God uses both sacred calling and secular skill to accomplish His purposes. Solomon’s diplomacy, wisdom, and planning are all gifts from God aligned with His redemptive plan. Even Gentiles like Hiram recognize the hand of Israel’s God.

1 Kings 6 – The Construction of the Temple

Chapter 6 records the actual construction of the temple, dating it precisely 480 years after the Exodus (v. 1)2. The structure’s dimensions and layout are carefully described, echoing the tabernacle but on a grander scale. The temple was 60 cubits long, 20 wide, and 30 high (about 90 ft. by 30 ft. by 45 ft.). The layout included the outer sanctuary and the Most Holy Place (v. 16), housing the Ark of the Covenant. Every surface was intricately decorated: cedar wood panels, carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, all overlaid with gold (v. 18–30).

A pivotal moment occurs in verses 11-13, where God interrupts the narrative of the building to remind Solomon that He values obedience over architecture. God promises to dwell among His people only if Solomon walks in His statutes. This emphasizes that the real foundation of the temple is not gold or stone, but covenant faithfulness. The temple took seven years to complete (v. 38), a number symbolizing completeness.

God’s presence is not secured by physical grandeur but by spiritual integrity. The temple is a place for encountering God, not a place where He is contained.

2 Chronicles 2 – Solomon’s Commission and Prayerful Perspective

In 2 Chronicles 2, we find a parallel account of the temple’s construction.3 This passage, however, includes more explicit theological framing. Solomon addresses the temple as “a house for the name of the Lord” (v. 1), showing his humility and understanding of God’s transcendence. He emphasizes that the temple is not to contain God (v. 6) but to honor His name and facilitate the prescribed worship, including burnt offerings, incense, daily sacrifices, and festival observances (v. 4-5).

His letter to Hiram (v. 3-10) is rich in theological insight. Solomon identifies the God of Israel as the Creator, “greater than all gods” (v. 5), and acknowledges his own inadequacy for such a sacred task (v. 6). His appeal is not only for materials but for a craftsman skilled in working with precious materials (v. 7). He also outlines the logistical needs: provisions for 150,000 workers, overseers, and stonecutters, echoing the massive national effort involved.

Worship is not merely ritual. It’s the intentional, reverent recognition of God’s greatness. Solomon’s attitude shows that no temple is worthy of God, yet the heart that acknowledges this is where true worship begins.

2 Chronicles 3 – Temple Foundations and Sacred Design

This chapter opens with a significant detail: the temple was built on Mount Moriah (v. 1), the site where God tested Abraham and where David purchased the threshing floor to halt a plague (2 Sam. 24:18-25). This setting connects the temple with deep covenantal history. God’s provision to Abraham, David’s repentance, and now Solomon’s worship.

Solomon begins construction in the fourth year of his reign (v. 2). The layout again mirrors 1 Kings 6, but the Chronicler focuses more on the sacred imagery: the Most Holy Place was overlaid with 600 talents of gold (v. 8-9), two massive cherubim filled the space, and a veil separated the inner sanctuary, embroidered with cherubim (v. 14). These details emphasize God’s holiness and the separation between Him and the people—a veil that pointed ahead to the greater High Priest who would one day tear it open (Matt. 27:51).

God’s holiness demands reverence. Every element of the temple, from its gold-covered walls to its veiled inner sanctuary, reminds Israel that worship is sacred, and access to God is not casual.

Conclusion: A House for God’s Name

These chapters together provide us with more than just architectural records. They unveil Israel’s theological heart in its golden age. The temple was not just a national treasure but a symbol of divine presence, mercy, and covenant. While 1 Kings emphasizes the structure and narrative flow, 2 Chronicles elevates the theology behind the project, pointing to a God too vast to be contained, yet gracious enough to dwell among His people.

Solomon’s temple ultimately foreshadows Christ—the true meeting place between God and man (John 2:19–21). As temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19), believers today are called to reflect the same holiness, humility, and honor that Solomon pursued. So the question remains: are we preparing, building, and dedicating our lives to be fitting places for the name and presence of the Lord?

The temple Solomon built was glorious, but it was never about the structure itself—it was about the God who would inhabit it. Today, through Christ, we are being built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5), called to reflect His glory in our lives, service, and worship. The story of Solomon’s temple reminds us to build intentionally, reverently, and with hearts wholly devoted to God. May we offer Him not only our labor but our lives, crafted for His purposes, centered on His presence, and established by His grace.

Footnotes:

1 Kings 5:1 – Israel’s Relationship with Tyre: The Phoenicians of Tyre, located about twenty miles south of Sidon on an island just off the coast, thrived due to their dominance of maritime trade throughout the Mediterranean. Their independence is confirmed by the Egyptian Wenamon’s report (circa 1080 B.C.), and archaeological evidence shows their presence on Cyprus and later at Carthage in North Africa. Because Tyre lacked adequate farmland and focused heavily on trade, the Phoenicians relied on partnerships with neighboring nations to secure essential resources like grain. Solomon’s political consolidation of Palestine made him an ideal trading ally for King Hiram, providing the Phoenicians with both a steady customer for their goods and a source of income for their skilled workers and builders.

Hiram of Tyre: Hiram I, also known in Phoenician as Ahiram and referred to as Hirummu in Assyrian records, is typically dated to 969–936 B.C., based on the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus (first century A.D.). Josephus claimed to have access to detailed historical records of Tyre and provides substantial information about Hiram’s reign. However, these dates leave little overlap with King David’s life, and the accuracy of Josephus’s chronology is uncertain due to the limited historical methods available to him. Although Hiram I is not mentioned in contemporary Near Eastern sources, a later ruler, Hiram II, is more prominently documented. Interestingly, the name Hiram also appears on the sarcophagus of Ahiram, a king of Byblos, who ruled in the same general period. (Victor Harold Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas, and John H. Walton, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, electronic ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), 1 Ki 5:1).

1 Kings 6:1 – Chronology

This chronological reference, tied to Solomon’s construction of the Jerusalem Temple, plays a central role in discussions about the timing of the Exodus and conquest periods (see the sidebar on the date of the Exodus). Many scholars date the temple’s dedication to around 966 B.C. If the statement in this verse—placing the exodus 480 years earlier—is taken literally, that would place Israel’s departure from Egypt in 1446 B.C. However, this traditional date has been questioned due to archaeological challenges and evidence of Egypt’s strong control over Syro-Palestine during the fifteenth century B.C. As a result, many scholars now interpret the number 480 as a symbol. It may represent twelve generations of forty years each (12 x 40 = 480), with “forty” being a common biblical figure for a full generation or significant time period. Given the proposed dates for Hiram I and the founding of the Phoenician colony at Carthage, the temple’s construction most likely occurred between 967 and 957 B.C. (Victor Harold Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas, and John H. Walton, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, electronic ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), 1 Ki 6:1).

2 Chronicles 2:1 – Temple Building in the Ancient World:

The concept of temple building was widespread in the ancient world, often carrying both religious and political significance. As early as the late third millennium B.C., Gudea, the ruler of Lagash, recorded a vision in which he was instructed through incubation dreams to build a temple for the goddess Ningirsu. His inscriptions describe the collection of materials—wood, stone, gold, and silver—and the mobilization of a labor force. Upon the temple’s completion, Gudea held a seven-day dedication feast, and he was promised a long and prosperous reign as a result of his devotion. Over a thousand years later, similar patterns appear in the account of Esarhaddon, who was directed to rebuild the renowned Esagila temple in Babylon. The same core elements—divine instruction, the procurement of building materials, workforce organization, and celebratory dedication—are also found in the Ugaritic epic of Baal, in which the god builds a house for himself. These shared themes provide rich context for understanding the narrative of Solomon’s temple construction, highlighting the broader cultural and theological importance of such projects in the ancient Near East.