Introduction
In this chapter we have an account of Solomon’s preparations for building the temple, and the three following chapters describe the building and dedication of that celebrated edifice. It was the mighty work which, above all others, shed a glory over the reign of Solomon. The temple was to be the central seat of national worship and religious interest, and was designed thenceforth to mould the religious life and knowledge of the Hebrew race, and to stand a type and symbol of the Christian Church that great spiritual temple of which Jesus Christ is the chief corner-stone. This great work was not a sudden device of Solomon. It had been planned by David, to whom its first idea had come like an inspiration from the Almighty. 2 Samuel 7:2. He would not have the ark dwelling in curtains, while he himself occupied a house of cedar. And though not permitted to build, in his day, a worthy dwelling for the mighty God of Jacob, he nevertheless prepared by Divine counsel its pattern, and carefully committed it to his son Solomon. 1Ch 28:11-12 ; 1 Chronicles 28:19. Compare the notes on 2 Samuel 7:1-17. He also prepared the place for its erection on Ornan’s threshingfloor, where he had seen the angel of the Lord. 2Ch 3:1 ; 2 Samuel 24:17.
In the next two chapters, and their parallels in Chronicles, we learn the most that is known of this celebrated structure, built so long ago, and long ago destroyed. “There is no building of the ancient world which has excited so much attention since the time of its destruction as the temple which Solomon built at Jerusalem. and its successor as rebuilt by Herod. Its spoils were considered worthy of forming the principal illustration of one of the most beautiful of Roman triumphal arches; and Justinian’s highest architectural ambition was, that he might surpass it. Throughout the middle ages it influenced to a considerable degree the forms of Christian churches, and its peculiarities were the watchwords and rallying points of all associations of builders. Since the revival of learning in the sixteenth century its arrangements have employed the pens of many learned antiquarians, and architects of several countries have taxed their science in trying to reproduce its forms.
But it is not only to Christians that the temple of Solomon is so interesting, the whole Mohammedan world look to it as the foundation of all architectural knowledge, and the Jews still recall its glories, and sigh over their loss with a constant tenacity, unmatched by that of any other people to any other building of the ancient world.” FERGUSSON, in Smith’s Dictionary.
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