Solomon Builds the Temple

BEFORE David died, he gave Solomon the plans from God for building Jehovah's temple.  In the fourth year of his rule, Solomon begins building the temple, and it takes seven and a half years to finish it.  Tens of thousands of men work on the temple, and the building costs lots and lots of money. This is because so much gold and silver are used in it. 

The temple has two main rooms, just as the tabernacle had.  But these rooms are twice the size of those in the tabernacle. Solomon has the ark of the covenant put in the inside room of the temple, and the other things that were kept in the tabernacle were put in the other room.

When the temple is finished, there is a big celebration. Solomon knees in front of the temple and prays.  'Not even  all of heaven is large enough to hold you,' Solomon says to Jehovah, 'how much less, then, can this temple hold you. But, O my God, please  listen to your people when they pray toward this place.' 

Next time: Conclusion of Solomon Builds the Temple

From the jw.org publications