Many public buildings have a symbolic importance in a nation’s life, either because of where they stand or because of what takes place within them: parliament buildings; law courts; monuments. Solomon’s temple is a case in point.

The temple is built “on Mount Moriah . . . on the threshing-floor of Araunah” (2 Chronicles 3:1). This site is rich in associations. This is the place where God had told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, but had provided a ram to take Isaac’s place (Genesis 22). And it is where David’s folly had provoked God’s judgment, but Israel had been spared when he offered sacrifices (1 Chronicles 21). Israel’s survival has always been a matter of God’s gracious provision and willingness to forgive sin, and not of anything that Israel can do on their own behalf.

There are no spoken words or prayers in today’s text, simply a series of actions carried out at Solomon’s command. The detailed description of the temple and its contents conveys its own message. The use of gold, gems, wood, and fine dyed cloth tells us that God is worthy of the best we can offer (2 Chronicles 3:5–7, 14).

Some items are functional, like the bronze pots, shovels, and forks (4:16); others, like the golden pomegranates and chains, are decorative (3:16). Many items may have a clear symbolism: the bronze “sea” supported on 12 bulls suggests God’s lordship over creation (4:2–6; see Psalm 93); the lamps which burn before the Holy of Holies identify God as a source of life and hope (2 Chronicles 4:7, 20; see Psalms 27:1; 36:9).

Solomon’s temple reproduces many features of Moses’ Tent of Meeting: the division into zones of “graded holiness”, with bronze used mainly in the outer parts and gold used particularly in the Holy of Holies (2 Chronicles 3:8–9); the bronze altar for sacrifice (4:1); and the golden incense altar (v. 19).

But there are also significant differences. There are now 10 lampstands and tables, not one of each (vv. 7–8; see Exodus 25:23–40). The bronze altar is much larger than that built by Moses (2 Chronicles 4:1; see Exodus 27:1–8). Bronze pillars, whose names Jakin and Boaz mean “he establishes” and “in him is strength”, are erected in front of the temple (2 Chronicles 3:17). Above all, the temple is a stone building; unlike the Tent of Meeting, it is not designed to be carried. It is meant as a permanent location for the ark.

Solomon’s temple was a small building (roughly 27m long and 9m wide), and the Holy of Holies still smaller (9m by 9m). Only priests and Levites were allowed to enter the temple, while most Israelites would have worshipped outside the temple, in the “large court” (4:9).

Like the Tent of Meeting, then, Solomon’s temple conveys a double message: God is present among His people, but His people must be shielded from the full impact of that presence. In Solomon’s day, full fellowship between God and humanity, like that described in Genesis 2, had yet to be restored. As Hebrews 9–10 tells us, full access into God’s presence became possible only through the work of Christ.

See also 1 Kings 6–7.