Solomon's Temple

Solomon’s Temple: God’s House in Jerusalem

King Solomon built a beautiful temple in Jerusalem about 3,000 years ago. His father, King David, wanted to build it, but God told him that his son would do it instead. So, when Solomon became king, he started the project.

Builder's grade construction

Solomon used the best materials. Workers cut giant stones for the foundation and covered the inside with wood from cedar trees. Then, they decorated the walls with gold. It took seven years to finish. The temple was about 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high.

Inside, the temple had two main rooms. The first was called the Holy Place. Only priests could enter this room. Behind it was the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant sat. The Ark was a sacred box that held the stone tablets with God’s Ten Commandments. Only the high priest could enter this room, and only once a year.

People came to the temple to worship God, offer sacrifices, and pray. It was the center of Jewish life.

400 years then gone

But the temple did not last forever. In 586 BC, the Babylonians attacked Jerusalem. They destroyed the temple and took many Israelites away as captives. Later, the Jews built a second temple, but Solomon’s original temple was never rebuilt.

Even today, Solomon’s Temple is remembered as one of the greatest buildings of ancient times.