It was in mid spring, in the month of Ziv, during the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, that he began to construct the Temple of the LORD. This was 480 years after the people of Israel were rescued from their slavery in the land of Egypt.

The Temple that King Solomon built for the LORD was 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high. The entry room at the front of the Temple was 30 feet wide, running across the entire width of the Temple. It projected outward 15 feet from the front of the Temple. Solomon also made narrow recessed windows throughout the Temple.

1 Kings 6:1-4

Then he said, “Cut the living child in two, and give half to one woman and half to the other!”
Then the woman who was the real mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried out, “Oh no, my lord! Give her the child—please do not kill him!”
But the other woman said, “All right, he will be neither yours nor mine; divide him between us!”
Then the king said, “Do not kill the child, but give him to the woman who wants him to live, for she is his mother!”
When all Israel heard the king’s decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice.
1 Kings 3:25-28

• Solomon will build a House for God. 
• This fulfilled God’s plan and promise. 
• God had promised David that his son would build a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant. 
• 2 Samuel 7:12-13; 1 Chronicles 22:9-10
• David had a deep desire to build the Temple, but was prevented by God because of his involvement in warfare and bloodshed. 
• 1 Chronicles 22:8; 1 Chronicles 28:3
• Solomon was appointed for the task; His name meant “peaceful.”
• Building a permanent Temple provided a focal point for sacrifices, festivals, prayer, and the reading of the Law. 
• The Temple would unify the tribes of Israel in their devotion to God. 
• The Temple would serve as a powerful representation of Israel’s covenant position as His chosen people. 
• Solomon’s building the House for God was a pivotal moment in Israel’s history. 
• Israel was ready to be a light to the nations. 

Keep looking for God to keep His promises…He always does!