1Ki 6 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Kgs 6:1-8:66: 6:1–8:66 The building of the Temple and palace complex and the celebration of the Temple dedication are central to the 1 Kings account of Solomon’s era. The Temple, erected to glorify God, was Israel’s most important building, so the writer of 1 Kings carefully recorded details of its construction. 6:1 Solomon’s fourth year was about 967 BC . Treating the number 480 as representing calendar years yields a date of about 1446 BC for Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Those who view the number as symbolic (12 generations times 40 years each) suggest that the Exodus occurred at a later date, around 1270 BC (see Exodus Book Introduction, “The Date of the Exodus”).

Summary for 1Kgs 6:1-8:66: 6:1–8:66 ^a The building of the Temple and palace complex and the celebration of the Temple dedication are central to the 1 Kings account of Solomon’s era. The Temple, erected to glorify God, was Israel’s most important building, so the writer of 1 Kings carefully recorded details of its construction. 6:1 ^b Solomon’s fourth year was about 967 BC. Treating the number 480 as representing calendar years yields a date of about 1446 BC for Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Those who view the number as symbolic (12 generations times 40 years each) suggest that the Exodus occurred at a later date, around 1270 BC (see Exodus Book Introduction, “The Date of the Exodus”).
6:2 ^c Like the Tabernacle before it, the Temple (literally house) was the place where God met with his people. David had stored up materials to be used in its construction (1 Chr 22:2-4 ^d, 14 ^e) and had drawn up plans for the Temple and given them to Solomon (1 Chr 28:11-12 ^f). The Temple’s floor plan resembled that of the Tabernacle but doubled its length and width and increased its height (cp. Exod 26:3 ^g, 15-30 ^h; 36:26-34 ⁱ).
Summary for 1Kgs 6:3-4: 6:3-4 ^j Unlike the Tabernacle, the Temple had an east entry room (or porch) and two freestanding pillars before the entrance (7:15-22 ^k).
Summary for 1Kgs 6:11-13: 6:11-13 ^l The Lord had an encouraging message for Solomon. Because God appeared to Solomon before (3:5 ^m) and after (9:2 ⁿ) this event, this message probably came to him by a prophet. The words reminded the king of God’s prior promise (3:14 ^o): If Solomon remained faithful to God, the Temple that he was building would become an eternal dwelling place for God.
Summary for 1Kgs 6:14-35: 6:14-35 ^p The focus shifts to the Temple interior. While the Temple site is not mentioned here, the Chronicler located it at the former threshing floor of Araunah (1 Chr 21:18-25 ^q; 2 Chr 3:1 ^r). This site is traditionally thought to be the location of Mount Moriah (Gen 22:2 ^s). Solomon’s Temple was in the northeastern corner of Jerusalem (now called the “old city”) in the area now associated with the Dome of the Rock.
Summary for 1Kgs 6:15-18: 6:15-18 ^t paneled with wood: The interior walls were paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling so that no exterior stones could be seen. The effect was exquisitely beautiful, reflecting painstaking care and great expense.
Summary for 1Kgs 6:19-22: 6:19-22 ^u Following the pattern of the Tabernacle, the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid ... inside with solid gold, was separated from the main room of the Temple by a curtain (2 Chr 3:14 ^v) and gold chains. Like the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle, the inner sanctuary was a perfect cube. It housed the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant that symbolized God’s presence. The place of atonement was atop the Ark (Exod 25:17 ^w); the high priest annually made propitiation for the Israelites by sprinkling the sacrificial blood of the atonement on it (Lev 16:1-19 ^x).

• The altar that belonged to the Most Holy Place stood in the main room. The priests burned incense there daily (Exod 30:34-38 ^y; 37:25-29 ^z). The altar was made of cedar and covered with gold.

• Like the inner sanctuary, the main room was also completely overlaid with gold, which reminded the priests that Almighty God was present. The main room also housed ten golden lampstands, ten tables (2 Chr 4:7-8 ^aa), and other furnishings (1 Kgs 7:48-50 ^ab).
Summary for 1Kgs 6:23-28: 6:23-28 ^ac In the inner sanctuary were two cherubim (see study note on 1 Chr 28:18) made of olive wood and overlaid ... with gold. Standing like sentries facing the door (2 Chr 3:13 ^ad), their combined wingspan reached from wall to wall. Along with the two smaller cherubim facing each other atop the Ark (Exod 25:17-21 ^ae), they symbolized the awesome presence of the Most Holy God.
Summary for 1Kgs 6:36-38: 6:36-38 ^af The inner courtyard surrounding the Temple was restricted to the priests (2 Chr 4:9 ^ag) and contained the bronze altar (2 Chr 4:1 ^ah), the bronze Sea (1 Kgs 7:23-26 ^ai; 2 Chr 4:2-5 ^aj), and ten carts that could hold ten basins of water for purification (1 Kgs 7:27-40 ^ak; 2 Chr 4:6 ^al).
6:38 ^am midautumn, in the month of Bul: The year was 960 BC.