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The Temple of Solomon |
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| IN THE
fourth year of his rule, Solomon began to build God's Temple on Mount Moriah
in Jerusalem. The Temple was copied after the Tabernacle which was built
before Mount Sinai in the desert, with its Court, Holy Place, and
Holy of Holies. But the Temple was larger and was a house of stone and
cedar, instead of a tent. The Temple had two courts, both open to the sky, with walls of stone around them. The court in front was the People's Court, and beyond it was the Court of the Priests. At the east gate of this court stood the great altar of burnt offerings, built of rough stones. Near the altar stood a great brass tank for water. Within the Court of the Priests stood the Temple building, made of marble and of cedar. It was a high tower in which were rooms for the high priest and his sons. Outside of the Temple building were rooms for the priests. In back of the Temple building was the Holy Place. This was a long room in which stood the table for the twelve loaves of bread and golden altar of incense, and the golden lampstand. Between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was a great veil. And in the Holy of Holies the priests placed the Ark of the Covenant. This was a chest of gold in which were kept the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. Into this room only the high priest was allowed to enter, and he only on one day in the year, the great Day of Atonement. Seven years were spent in building the Temple. Then the Temple was dedicated and set apart for the worship of the Lord. Many offerings were burned upon the great altar. The Ark was brought from Mount Zion and placed in the Holy of Holies, and King Solomon knelt in front of the altar and offered a prayer to the Lord before all the people. After many years, Solomon was led away from God by pagan women who were brought to his court. God was offended by Solomon's sins and punished him. While his son Rehoboam was king, ten tribes revolted and formed the kingdom of Israel. |
