Solomon (King) And his temple of GOD, in Jerusalem.
Seek the Truth with all your heart.
King David took the stronghold of Mount Zion from the Jebusites and made it his capital. Solomon enlarged the city and built it up to the peak of its grandeur, constructing a magnificent temple as well as an impressive complex of government buildings on Mount Moriah. (Now known as The Temple Mount, where the golden capped ‘Dome of The Rock’ Islamic mosque now stands.
King Solomon built his magnificent temple to the LORD’s glory. He began it in 970 BC. and completed it in 964 BC. (This date differs from 827 BC quoted below, based on a different basis of calculation. This does not put the Bible in question at all; some dates of that era are not quoted in the Bible, however they can be calculated by reference to other documented events.)
According to the Hebrew Bible, Solomon's Temple, known as the First Temple, was the Holy Temple (Hebrew: בֵּית־הַמִּקְדָּשׁ: Beit HaMikdash) in ancient Jerusalem before its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar II and his Babylonian army, after the Siege of Jerusalem in 586 BC.
The Temple is also known as Solomon’s Temple, and originally as GOD’s Temple which represented the magnificence of GOD on Earth. It was one of the most magnificent structures ever built.
When we are Born Again and Spirit filled, our body becomes the temple of ‘The Holy Spirit,’ = GOD’s Holy Spirit.
Two replacement Temples have stood in succession on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem was closely associated with YEHOVAH’s Name, (sometimes spelt as YAHOVAH) serving as a fitting symbol of GOD’s own heavenly kingdom and HIS Messianic Kingdom in Jesus Christ’s hands. This will all be restored in keeping with GOD’s plans.
The First Temple was constructed by King Solomon, based on detailed plans that GOD had given to his father, King David through the prophet Nathan. King David had wanted to build it himself, but GOD him that his son would be the one to do it.
In the fourth year of his reign, 833 BCE, King Solomon found himself at peace with his neighbours and began the construction of the Temple. The site chosen by King David was the top of Mount Moriah, where Abraham had once proved his readiness to offer up his dearly beloved son in obedience to GOD's command.
It was the archetype of the "dwelling for GOD in the physical world" that is the purpose of creation. Tens of thousands of men were needed to perform the many tasks required for the gigantic undertaking. Men were sent to Lebanon to cut down cedar trees. Stones were hewn near the quarries, and then brought up to Moriah, there to be fitted together with fine detail. The bronze was cast In the valley of the Jordan. Craftsmen were brought in from Tyre to help perfect the work. Ships set sail eastward and westward to bring the choicest materials for the adornment of the House of GOD.
It took seven years to complete the Temple. In the twelfth year of his reign, in 827 BC. King Solomon dedicated the Temple and all its contents. The Ark of the Covenant was brought into the Temple amidst inaugural celebrations that lasted for seven days.
According to the Hebrew Bible, Solomon's Temple, also known as the First Temple, was the Holy Temple (Hebrew: בֵּית־הַמִּקְדָּשׁ: Beit HaMikdash) in ancient Jerusalem before its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar II and his Babylonian army, after the Siege of Jerusalem in 586 BC.
For the next 410 years, the Jewish people would bring daily offerings in this magnificent edifice, and here the nation would gather three times a year to "see and to be seen by the face of GOD." Here the Divine Presence was manifest. Ten daily miracles – such as the wind never extinguishing the fire on the altar – attested to GOD's presence in the Temple. This was the archetype of the "dwelling for GOD in the physical world" that is the purpose for its creation.
Solomon's reign was a golden era. His capital became the centre of wisdom, riches, and splendour. Monarchs as well as ordinary people came to gaze on all the marvels to be seen there, and left wide-eyed with amazement and awe. The Land of Israel developed into a great centre of commerce. The Jews lived in peace and happiness, "every man under his vine and under his fig tree."
Solomon asked GOD for wisdom above all else, as follows:
2 Chronicles 1:6-13 ‘Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the LORD in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
That night GOD appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want ME to give you. Solomon answered GOD, “YOU have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD GOD, let YOUR promise to my father David be confirmed, for YOU have made me king over people who are as numerous as the dust of the Earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of YOUR’s?” GOD said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honour, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern MY people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions, and honour, such as no king who was before you ever had, and none after you will have.”
Then Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting. And he reigned over Israel.’
1 Kings 3:5-12 - also covers this.
2 Chronicles 6:6 ‘But now I have chosen Jerusalem for MY NAME to be there, and I have chosen David to rule MY people Israel.’
It served as the centre of pure worship and the seat of the government for Israel.
2 Chronicles 29:23-25 ‘So Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him. All the officers and mighty men, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their submission to King Solomon. The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal splendour such as no king over Israel ever had before.’
2 Chronicles 29:14 -17 describe Solomon’s huge wealth of assets.
2 Chronicles chapters 2, 3, 4, describe Solomon’s project of building the temple.
Psalms 2:6 ‘I have installed MY king on Zion, MY holy mountain.’
Psalm 132:13-14 ‘For the LORD has chosen Zion, HE has desired it for HIS dwelling, saying, “This is MY resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.”
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ‘Don’t you know that you yourselves are GOD’s temple and that GOD’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys GOD’s temple, GOD will destroy that person, for GOD’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.’
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ‘Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from GOD? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour GOD with your bodies.’
Most Christians assume that The Temple - Solomon’s Temple - GOD’s Temple - was on the so-called Temple Mount, where the Muslim Dome of the Rock now stands. The Wailing Wall - The Western Wall - The Kotel - is the most holy site to the Orthodox Jews, as it is the only remaining part of the original temple; and is a place used for regular prayer, and visited by millions of people.
According to some records Zion was situated in The City of David which is on the western side of The Temple Mount.
The Beginning of the End for Solomon. At the end of King Solomon's life, he was guilty of indiscretions not befitting his image, good reputation, and great stature. GOD told him he would be punished, and that after his death, the kingdom would be torn in two; which happened.
The only visible remnant of King Solomon’s Temple is part of the foundation wall, now known as the Western Wailing Wall - The Kotel – which is the holiest site in the world to the orthodox Jews, where they regularly pray and read the Torah – The Old Testament.
Most Jews do not yet realize that Jesus was and is the Messiah. Only a tiny percentage of them have very joyfully realized and accepted.
John 1:9-14 ‘The true light - Jesus - that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, (Israel and the Jews) but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of GOD – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of GOD. The Word – Jesus – became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, Who came from the FATHER, full of grace and truth.’
Jesus is the Temple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW-7K19kgNw
3 minutes
An old Western Wall photo is below:
An old photo of The Wailing Wall - The Western Wall - The Kotel.