INTRODUCTION: Most people know that the plan for the tabernacle was given by God and, therefore, has a special design that portrays much Bible truth. Moses made the tabernacle according to the pattern that was shown to him in the mount (Exodus 25:40And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
See All...; Hebrews 8:5Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
See All...). What most people do not know is that God gave the pattern for the temple to David and that he gave it to Solomon. 1 Chronicles 28:11-12 [11] Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, [12] And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:
See All... tells us that David gave to Solomon “the pattern of all that he had by the spirit.” The passage lists the various aspects of the temple as part of this pattern that God had given him. Therefore, the pattern for Solomon’s temple comes from God and must have special spiritual significance. This lesson only gives a brief introduction to this wonderful house of the Lord.

1. BUILDING MATERIALS FOR THE TEMPLE (1 Kings 5:1-18 [1] And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David. [2] And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, [3] Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. [4] But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent. [5] And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name. [6] Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians. [7] And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people. [8] And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir. [9] My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household. [10] So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire. [11] And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year. [12] And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together. [13] And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men. [14] And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy. [15] And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; [16] Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work. [17] And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. [18] And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
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1. Solomon’s Proposal to Hiram (1 Kings 5:1-6 [1] And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David. [2] And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, [3] Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. [4] But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent. [5] And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name. [6] Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
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1. Hiram, king of Tyre, congratulated Solomon (1 Kings 5:1And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.
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1. He was ever a lover of David.
1. He helped him build his house (2 Samuel 5:11And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
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2. That is all we know about this friendship during David’s lifetime.
2. He heard that Solomon had been anointed king.
3. He sent his servants to call on Solomon.
2. Solomon sent word back to Hiram (1 Kings 5:2-4 [2] And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, [3] Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. [4] But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.
   See All...).
1. Because of war, David could not build the temple (1 Kings 5:2-3 [2] And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, [3] Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.
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2. But God had given Solomon rest on every side (1 Kings 5:4But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.
   See All...).
3. Solomon’s request of Hiram (1 Kings 5:5-6 [5] And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name. [6] Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
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1. His purpose to build the house of the Lord (1 Kings 5:5And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
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2. His need for help from Hiram (1 Kings 5:6Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
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1. To hew cedar trees out of Lebanon
1. They also cut fir trees and algum trees (2 Chronicles 2:8Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
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2. Solomon spoke of the cedar as the first of the trees (1 Kings 4:33And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
   See All...). The Bible speaks of cedar trees as tall (2 Kings 19:23By thy messengers thou hast reproached the LORD, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.
   See All...) and excellent (Song of Solomon 5:15His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
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2. To have his servants work with Solomon’s servants
1. Solomon will give hire for Hiram’s servants.
2. But none can skill to hew timber like the Sidonians.
2. Hiram’s Agreement with Solomon (1 Kings 5:7-12 [7] And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people. [8] And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir. [9] My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household. [10] So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire. [11] And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year. [12] And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
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1. Hiram rejoiced upon hearing from Solomon (1 Kings 5:7And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.
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2. Hiram agreed to supply the timber for Solomon (1 Kings 5:8-10 [8] And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir. [9] My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household. [10] So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.
   See All...).
1. He considered the request of Solomon (1 Kings 5:8And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.
   See All...).
2. He agreed to fulfill the request (1 Kings 5:8And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.
   See All...).
3. The timber would be delivered (1 Kings 5:9My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.
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1. From Lebanon to the sea in floats
2. To the place appointed by Solomon
4. Hiram fulfilled all of Solomon’s desire for timber (1 Kings 5:10So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.
   See All...).
3. Solomon gave Hiram wheat and oil for his service (1 Kings 5:11And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
   See All...).
4. Solomon and Hiram made a league together (1 Kings 5:12And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
   See All...).
1. According to the wisdom God had given Solomon
2. Creating peace between Solomon and Hiram
3. Solomon’s Organization of the Work (1 Kings 5:13-18 [13] And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men. [14] And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy. [15] And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; [16] Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work. [17] And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. [18] And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
   See All...)
1. Solomon sent workers to Lebanon (1 Kings 5:13-14 [13] And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men. [14] And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.
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1. He raised a levy of 30,000 men out of Israel (1 Kings 5:13And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
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2. He rotated them to work 10,000 at a time in Lebanon (1 Kings 5:14And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.
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2. Solomon had numerous other servants (1 Kings 5:15-16 [15] And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; [16] Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.
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1. He had 70,000 who bore burdens (1 Kings 5:15And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
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2. He had 80,000 who hewed wood in the mountains (1 Kings 5:15And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
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3. He put 3,300 officers over them (1 Kings 5:16Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.
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3. Solomon gathered and prepared stones for the foundation (1 Kings 5:17And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
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1. Great stones
2. Costly stones
3. Hewed stones
4. The builders prepared timber and stone for the house (1 Kings 5:18And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
   See All...).
2. THE OUTER STRUCTURE OF THE TEMPLE (1 Kings 6:1-14 [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. [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. [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. [4] And for the house he made windows of narrow lights. [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: [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. [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. [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. [9] So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar. [10] And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar. [11] And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, [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: [13] And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel. [14] So Solomon built the house, and finished it.
   See All...)
1. The Year Construction Began (1 Kings 6:1And 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.
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1. In the fourth year of Solomon’s reign
2. In the second month called Zif; after the Passover and Feast of Firstfruits; before the feast of Pentecost.
3. In the 480th year after the exodus of Israel out of Egypt
2. The Dimensions of the Temple (1 Kings 6:2-4 [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. [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. [4] And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.
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1. The entire temple (1 Kings 6:2And 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.
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1. 60 cubits long (90 feet)
2. 20 cubits wide (30 feet)
3. 30 cubits high (45 feet)
2. The porch of the temple (1 Kings 6:3And 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.
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1. 20 cubits long; across the breadth of the temple
2. 10 30 cubits high (45 feet)cubits wide before the house
3. The provision for windows (1 Kings 6:4And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.
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3. The Chambers around the Temple (1 Kings 6:5-10 [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: [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. [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. [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. [9] So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar. [10] And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.
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1. The three portions of the building (1 Kings 6:5And 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:
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1. The temple proper; the main chamber where the priests did their daily service
2. The oracle
1. A name for the most holy place (1 Kings 6:16And 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.
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2. The location of the ark of the covenant (1 Kings 6:19And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
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3. Related to the word oral and refers to the place where God spoke to His people (2 Samuel 16:23And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
   See All...; Psalm 28:1-2 [1] Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. [2] Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
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3. The chambers; small rooms built around the temple and up against the walls of the temple
2. The building of the chambers (1 Kings 6:6The 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.
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1. Built in three stories around the temple
2. Each story up was one cubit broader than the story below it; this allowed the chambers to lean against the house of the temple without being an integral part of the temple building.
3. The stone for the house of the Lord (1 Kings 6:7And 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.
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1. Cut before it was brought to the site
2. Excluded the sound of hammers and axes while being built
4. The entrance into the chambers (1 Kings 6:8The 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.
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1. The door entered into the right side of the house.
2. Winding stairs went up to the second and third stories.
3. Entrance into the third chamber was through the second.
5. The house was finished with boards and beams of cedar (1 Kings 6:9So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar.
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6. The chambers were built against the house (1 Kings 6:10And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.
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1. The chambers were five cubits high.
2. They rested against the house with timbers of cedar.
4. The Charge Concerning the Temple (1 Kings 6:11-14 [11] And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, [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: [13] And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel. [14] So Solomon built the house, and finished it.
   See All...)
1. Solomon’s responsibility (1 Kings 6:11-12 [11] And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, [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:
   See All...a)
1. To walk in God’s statutes
2. To execute God’s judgments
3. To keep God’s commandments
2. God’s promise (1 Kings 6:12Concerning 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:
   See All...b-13)
1. To perform His word with David
2. To dwell among the children of Israel
3. To not forsake the people of Israel
3. Solomon finished the house (1 Kings 6:14So Solomon built the house, and finished it.
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3. THE INNER STRUCTURE OF THE TEMPLE (1 Kings 6:15-38 [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. [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. [17] And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long. [18] And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen. [19] And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD. [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. [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. [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. [23] And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high. [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. [25] And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubims were of one measure and one size. [26] The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub. [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. [28] And he overlaid the cherubims with gold. [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. [30] And the floors of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without. [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. [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. [33] So also made he for the door of the temple posts of olive tree, a fourth part of the wall. [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. [35] And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work. [36] And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams. [37] In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif: [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.
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1. The Inner Covering of the Temple (1 Kings 6:15-22 [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. [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. [17] And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long. [18] And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen. [19] And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD. [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. [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. [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.
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1. He covered the floor, walls, and ceilings with wood (1 Kings 6:15-16 [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. [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.
   See All...).
2. The temple proper was forty cubits long (1 Kings 6:17And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long.
   See All...).
3. The cedar of the house was carved with knops and flowers (1 Kings 6:18And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.
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4. The oracle of the temple was prepared (1 Kings 6:19-20 [19] And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD. [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.
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1. Prepared for the ark of the covenant (1 Kings 6:19And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
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2. Its dimensions (1 Kings 6:20And 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.
   See All...); foursquare, like the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:16And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
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1. 20 cubits long
2. 20 cubits wide
3. 20 cubits high
5. Overlaid with pure gold (1 Kings 6:21-22 [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. [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.
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2. The Cheribims in the Oracle (1 Kings 6:23-30 [23] And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high. [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. [25] And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubims were of one measure and one size. [26] The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub. [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. [28] And he overlaid the cherubims with gold. [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. [30] And the floors of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without.
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1. Two cherubims of olive tree for the oracle (1 Kings 6:23And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high.
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2. Each had a wingspan of ten cubits (1 Kings 6:24-25 [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. [25] And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubims were of one measure and one size.
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3. Each was ten cubits high (1 Kings 6:26The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub.
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4. Placed side by side, their wingspans took up the entire width of the oracle (1 Kings 6:27And 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.
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5. Overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:28And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.
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6. Walls carved with cherubims, palm trees, and open flowers (1 Kings 6:29And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
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7. Floor overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:30And the floors of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without.
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3. The Entrances into the Temple (1 Kings 6:31-36 [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. [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. [33] So also made he for the door of the temple posts of olive tree, a fourth part of the wall. [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. [35] And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work. [36] And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.
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1. Doors into the oracle were made of olive trees (1 Kings 6:31-32 [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. [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.
   See All...); 2 Chronicles 3:14And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.
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2. Doors into the temple proper were made of fir wood (1 Kings 6:33-35 [33] So also made he for the door of the temple posts of olive tree, a fourth part of the wall. [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. [35] And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work.
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3. The inner court was made with three rows of hewed stone and a row of cedar beams (1 Kings 6:36And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.
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4. The Completion of the Temple (1 Kings 6:37-38 [37] In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif: [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.
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1. The foundation was laid in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign (1 Kings 6:37In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif:
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2. The house was completed in the eleventh year of Solomon’s reign (1 Kings 6:38And 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.
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1. In the eighth month called Bul; after the cycle of feasts was completed for the year (see Leviticus 23)
2. Completing the temple in seven years; NOTE: The King James Bible was begun in 1604 (the 4th year of the 17th century) and completed in 1611 (the 11th year) after seven years of work.

CONCLUSION: It took seven years to complete, but the house of the Lord has been built. It must have been an amazing site for the people of God!