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The temple is dedicated

1004 BCUssher date

1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5–7

The ark was carried into the Most Holy Place, God's glory filled the temple, and Solomon prayed a great prayer of dedication.

But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house that I have built!

1 Kings 8:27 (World English Bible)
side rooms, three storiesMost Holy20 × 20 cubitsark and cherubimHoly Place40 × 20 cubits10 lampstands, 10 tables, incense altarporchBoazJachinbronze altar20 × 20 cubitsbronze “sea” on 12 oxenten bronze basins on stands, five on each sideNorth ↑ East (entrance) →1 Kings 6–7; 2 Chronicles 3–4. Inner house 60 × 20 cubits (about 90 × 30 ft). Courts not shown; positions simplified.
Plan of Solomon's temple from 1 Kings 6–7, drawn to scale.

When the priests came out, the cloud of God's glory filled the house so that they couldn't stand to minister. Solomon knelt before the whole assembly and prayed that God would hear every prayer made toward this place, even from foreigners and from exiles far away.

Fire came down from heaven on the sacrifices (2 Chronicles 7:1), and God answered Solomon with a promise and a warning (1 Kings 9).

Places

JerusalemCity of DavidMost Holy PlaceHoly Place

Dating notes

Ussher dates the dedication to 1004 BC, a jubilee year and, by his count, 3,000 years after creation and 1,000 years before the birth of Christ.

Open on the timelineRead 1 Kings 8