Topical Bible: Temple: Solomon's: Materials Prepared For

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The construction of Solomon's Temple, also known as the First Temple, was a monumental task that required extensive preparation and resources. The materials for the temple were gathered with great care and precision, reflecting the significance of this sacred edifice in the religious life of Israel. The preparation of materials is detailed in several passages of the Old Testament, primarily in the books of 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles.

Timber and Stone

The primary materials used in the construction of Solomon's Temple were timber and stone. King Solomon entered into an agreement with Hiram, the king of Tyre, to supply cedar and cypress timber from the forests of Lebanon. This arrangement is recorded in 1 Kings 5:6, where Solomon requests, "So give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My servants will work with yours, and I will pay you for your servants according to whatever you say." The cedars of Lebanon were renowned for their quality and durability, making them an ideal choice for the temple's construction.

In addition to timber, large quantities of stone were required. Skilled stonecutters were employed to quarry and shape the stones, as noted in 1 Kings 5:17-18: "And the king commanded them to quarry large, costly stones to lay the foundation of the temple with dressed stones. So Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders, along with the Gebalites, cut the stones and prepared the timber and stone to build the temple."

Metals and Precious Materials

The temple's construction also involved the use of various metals, including gold, silver, and bronze. These materials were used for both structural and decorative purposes. In 1 Chronicles 29:2, King David, Solomon's father, describes the preparations he made for the temple: "Now with all my ability I have provided for the house of my God: the gold for the gold work, the silver for the silver, the bronze for the bronze, the iron for the iron, and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and alabaster in abundance."

Gold was particularly significant, as it was used to overlay the inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place, and various furnishings within the temple. The use of gold is highlighted in 1 Kings 6:21-22: "So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold. So he overlaid the whole interior with gold."

Labor and Skilled Workers

The preparation of materials for the temple also required a vast workforce. Solomon conscripted laborers from throughout Israel, as well as skilled artisans from Tyre. In 1 Kings 5:13-14, it is recorded that "King Solomon conscripted a labor force of thirty thousand men from all Israel. He sent them to Lebanon in shifts of ten thousand per month, so that they would spend one month in Lebanon and two months at home."

Additionally, Hiram sent a skilled craftsman named Huram-Abi, who was "filled with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to do all kinds of work in bronze" (2 Chronicles 2:13-14). This collaboration between Israel and Tyre ensured that the temple was constructed with the highest level of craftsmanship.

Conclusion

The preparation of materials for Solomon's Temple was a massive undertaking that involved international cooperation, significant resources, and skilled labor. The detailed accounts in the Scriptures underscore the importance of the temple as a central place of worship and a symbol of God's presence among His people.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 5:17,18
And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... the whole arrangement of this gorgeous temple, proceeded from ... with wisdom from above,
with materials and with ... and protection of his God, Solomon commenced, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... with the divine pattern, with materials that have ... with the completion of the temple,
when during ... was said during the dedicatory services, Solomon had sought to ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

Book 8 Footnotes
... timber and stones to build the temple for three ... the building itself did not begin
till Solomon's fourth year ... speak of the preparation of materials beforehand, 1 ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 8 footnotes.htm

That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That ...
... were now prepared, that he might leave materials ready for ... 2. So David called his
son Solomon, and charged him ... had received the kingdom, to build a temple to God ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 that david made.htm

One Worker Preparing for Another
... His temple must be 'exceeding magnifical', and my son Solomon must build it, so
I must go on gathering the materials." So he just roused himself ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/one worker preparing for another.htm

Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church
... Christ excels Solomon, for he provides all the materials. ... You know that in Solomon's
temple there was no sound of ... to be linked together were prepared, so that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/christ glorified as the builder.htm

Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
... not of composition, between the ages of Solomon and Hezekiah ... There is a grasp of
materials and a breadth ... time and means of grace now; temple, Scripture, finger ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/bunsens biblical researches.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... 182.] Prophet or not, he took the materials at his ... 14, which is an exhortation to
Solomon, injected into the specifications respecting the temple building ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

Texts Explained; Sixthly, the Context of Proverbs viii. 22 Vz. 22 ...
... of building upon Him, and may become a temple of the ... makes preparation and gives
to the workmen materials for a ... it in the fear of God (as Solomon says [2768 ...
/.../chapter xxii texts explained sixthly the.htm

A Discourse
... ten 'excellent manuscripts' which Bunyan had prepared for the ... OF THE MATERIALS OF
WHICH THE HOUSE OF THE ... though she may not be called Solomon's temple, yet she ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm