According to the Hebrew Bible, Solomon’s Temple was the first temple the Israelites built for God. It was also called the First Temple and was first built by Solomon. It stood next to the king’s palace, and was both God’s royal palace and Israel’s center of worship. The Bible says that the Lord said to Solomon, “I have consecrated (made special or clean) this temple…by putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there” (1 Kings 9:3). A symbol of holiness and royalty, it reminded the Israelites that God was the special head of Israel. It was patterned after the tabernacle and, in general, other temples at that time, and was divided into three important areas: the Most Holy Place, the Holy Place and the outer courtyard. It was built in Jerusalem, on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, where Solomon's father David had bought to build an altar to God.
Solomon's Temple | the first temple the Israelites built for God
Questions and Answers
Q: What was the first temple built by the Israelites?
A: According to the Hebrew Bible, Solomon’s Temple was the first temple that the Israelites built for God. It was also called the First Temple and was first built by Solomon.
Q: Where did it stand?
A: The temple stood next to King Solomon's palace and served as both God's royal palace and Israel's center of worship.
Q: What did God say about it?
A: The Lord said to Solomon, “I have consecrated (made special or clean) this temple…by putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there” (1 Kings 9:3).
Q: What does it symbolize?
A: The temple is a symbol of holiness and royalty, reminding the Israelites that God is the special head of Israel.
Q: How was it patterned after other temples at that time?
A: The First Temple was patterned after other temples at that time, including the tabernacle, which were divided into three important areas -the Most Holy Place, Holy Place and outer courtyard.
Q: Where in Jerusalem did they build it?
A: They built it on Araunah's threshing floor in Jerusalem where King David had bought land to build an altar to God.