11 Then the word of the Lord came to Solomon, saying: 12 “Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgments, keep all My commandments, and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you, which I spoke to your father David. 13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.” 14 So Solomon built the temple and finished it. 1 Kings 6:11-14
Solomon Builds the House of the Lord
House for the Lord 6:2 For the interior of the temple Solomon followed the floor plan of the tabernacle but doubled its dimensions. sixty cubits: The standard cubit was about 18 inches. The dimensions here are approximately 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Solomon’s temple was constructed on Mt. Moriah (2 Ch. 3:1, Gen. 22:2) at the threshing floor of Ornan (or Araunah, 2 Sam. 24:24). Like the tabernacle, the temple was divided into the Most Holy Place, the holy place, and an outer courtyard. The outer court contained a bronze altar for sacrifices and a brass basin set on the backs of 2 bulls. On the east end of the temple there was a porch. Before the entrance to the porch were two freestanding pillars: Jachin (to the right) and Boaz (to the left; see 7:21). Passing over the front porch one would enter the holy place. A veil separated the holy place from the Most Holy Place, in which were housed the ark and the mercy seat guarded by two cherubim. Only the priests could enter the temple itself to minister before the Lord.
6:12, 13 The most important work of Solomon was certainly the building of the temple. God promised to bless Solomon and his work if he faithfully obeyed his commands.
—> The magnificent gold laden temple would be merely an empty shell if God does not dwell in its Most Holy Place. Likewise, without the indwelling of Holy Spirit, we would be an empty shell without any sparkles of life regardless of our talents and possessions.
