From the exodus until the reign of Solomon, the tabernacle located in various places served as Israel's “temple” and the ordained place of sacrifice. Solomon built the first temple in Jerusalem.
Centres for worship and sacrifice before the temple was built
David's preparations for the building and worship in the first temple
The plan for its construction
2 Samuel 7:12–13; 1 Chronicles 17:1 parallel 2 Samuel 7:1; 1 Chronicles 28:11–12, 1 Chronicles 28:19
The gifts for its construction
1 Chronicles 29:2–3, 1 Chronicles 29:6
Arrangements for the temple worship
Solomon's construction of the temple
1 Kings 5:1–13, 1 Kings 6:7; 2 Chronicles 2:17–18
The completion of the temple and its furnishings
2 Chronicles 2:5 Although it followed the basic pattern of the tabernacle, Solomon intended the temple to reflect God's greatness. See also 1 Kings 6:20–22 parallel 2 Chronicles 3:4–9 The inner walls were overlaid with gold; 1 Kings 6:27 parallel 2 Chronicles 3:11–12 The wings of the cherubim reached from wall to wall; 1KI 6:381KI 1 Kings 7:23 parallel 2 Chronicles 4:2; 1 Kings 7:26–27 parallel 2 Chronicles 4:5; 1 Kings 7:30 1 Kings 7:49 not one golden lampstand but ten; 2 Chronicles 4:8 not one table for the bread of the Presence but ten
The house that I am building will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.
The dedication of the temple
At the Feast of Tabernacles
1 Kings 8:2 parallel 2 Chronicles 5:3
The glory of the LORD filled the temple
1 Kings 8:6 parallel 2 Chronicles 5:7; 1 Kings 8:10–11; 2 Chronicles 5:11, 2 Chronicles 5:13–14
The offering of sacrifices
1 Kings 8:62–63 parallel 2 Chronicles 7:5
Solomon's prayer
1 Kings 8:27 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:18
But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.
The temple after the division of the kingdom
See also 1 Kings 12:26–30; 2 Chronicles 13:4–12
Later kings of Judah used the temple treasures for political purposes
1 Kings 15:18–19 parallel 2 Chronicles 16:2–3 Asa took silver and gold to persuade the king of Aram to be his ally against Israel; 2 Kings 12:17–18 Joash sent money and treasures to prevent the king of Aram attacking Jerusalem; 2 Kings 16:7–8 parallel 2 Chronicles 28:21 Ahaz used gold and silver to gain the support of the king of Assyria against his enemies; 2 Kings 18:14–15 Hezekiah used temple silver to placate the king of Assyria.
Foreign kings pillaged the temple
1 Kings 14:25–26 parallel 2 Chronicles 12:9 Shishak king of Egypt; 2 Kings 24:13; 2 Chronicles 36:18 Nebuchadnezzar
Under certain kings the temple was cleansed and repaired
Joash: 2 Kings 12:4–5 parallel 2 Chronicles 24:5; 2 Chronicles 24:13–14; 2 Kings 15:35 parallel 2 Chronicles 27:3 Jotham; 2 Chronicles 29:3–5, 2 Chronicles 29:15–16, 2 Chronicles 29:18–19, 2 Chronicles 29:25; 2 Kings 22:3–7 parallel 2 Chronicles 34:8–11 Josiah
The destruction of the temple by the Babylonians
2 Kings 25:13–15 parallel Jeremiah 52:17–19; 2 Chronicles 36:18
The temple and the ministry of the prophets
Isaiah received his call in the temple
Ezekiel had a vision of the glory of God departing
Micah's prophecy concerning the temple's fate
Jeremiah's ministry was closely linked to the temple
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.