B. The Building of the Temple 2:1-5:1

Solomon was a model of the ultimate Davidic temple builder. Consequently the writer gave his temple construction much attention. This was Solomon's major accomplishment from the writer's point of view.

 1. Preparations for building the temple ch. 2

Though he gave some attention to the materials Solomon used in the temple, the writer's primary interest was the communications between Solomon and Hiram (Huram). Solomon's letter reveals that he had a sincere desire to glorify God. He did not regard building the temple as a duty David had imposed on him. Furthermore his conception of Yahweh was appropriate and realistic (v. 5). Hiram's reply (vv. 11-16) shows that in Solomon's day Israel was drawing Gentile nations to Yahweh. This was part of God's purpose for Israel and was something the ideal Son of David would accomplish (cf. Hag. 2:7; Zech. 8:22-23). Verses 11 and 12 are not in the parallel passage in 1 Kings 5.⁷

 2. The temple proper 3:1-9

The mention of Mount Moriah as the site of the temple (v. 1) recalls God's provision of a substitute sacrifice for Isaac on that very spot (Gen. 22:2, 14).⁸The temple would later stand there, and the high priest would offer a substitute sacrifice for Israel on the Day of Atonement each year there.

The glory of the temple was not so much its size as its quality and appearance. The writer stressed the gold that overlaid it and its general magnificence. Its significance was that it represented the glory of Yahweh, the greatest of all gods (2:5). In the ancient Near East a god's house (temple) represented the god.

 3. The temple furnishings 3:10-5:1

The cherubim (3:10-13) represented angelic beings (cf. Gen. 3:24). Probably they looked more like the sculptured combination human-animal-bird creatures that archaeologists have discovered in the ancient Assyrian and Babylonian capitals than like pudgy winged children. This child motif is traceable to medieval Christian artists. The cherubim evidently stood against the back (west) wall of the temple and faced east toward the ark.⁹They were twice as high as human beings.

The two pillars (3:15-17) were evidently contemporary freestanding objects that served as visual aids designed to emphasize God's faithfulness and strength in establishing Israel (cf. 1 Kings 7:21; 2 Chron. 7:16). They were probably 18 rather than 35 cubits high (cf. 1 Kings 7:15).¹⁰

God designed the temple furnishings (ch. 4) to enable the priests to carry out the instructive ritual that the Mosaic Law prescribed. The furnishings and ritual taught and reminded everyone who viewed them lessons about God, man, and the relationship between them that God's grace had made possible.

"The Chronicler . . . fashioned his account of Solomon as temple builder, with his helper Huram-Abi (2 Chr 4:16), on that of Bezalel, the tabernacle supervisor of building, and his helper Oholiab (Exod 36:1-2). Solomon is seen as the new Bezalel and Huram-Abi as the new Oholiab."¹¹

The whole temple was a tribute to the greatness of Yahweh. It enhanced His reputation (2:4).