King Solomon dedicates the Temple (1 Kings 8:1-66)

Shortly before he died, King David gave his son Solomon the task of building a beautiful temple for God. He provided him with detailed written instructions and said to him: “Take heed, now, that the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do it.” (1 Chronicles 28:10)

And so, in the fourth year of his reign, King Solomon set to work on the project. The king sourced vast amounts of timber from his ally, King Hiram of Tyre. He also organised teams of stonecutters to work in the hill country. Over 80,000 people were involved in its construction, which took place on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem.

Solomon designed the stone temple to have two main rooms. The smaller, but more important room, was called the Holy of Holies. This was to house the Ark of the Covenant. Craftsmen made two golden statues of angels with outspread wings which were then placed in this room, to sit alongside the Ark.

In the outer room, a golden incense altar was installed so that priests could offer daily sacrifices. This room also included a table for the holy bread, ten golden lampstands and a series of framed windows. Both rooms were panelled in cedar, then covered in gold. To add to the temple’s beauty, images of angels, trees and flowers were carved on the walls.

Outside the sanctuary, Solomon also built various storage rooms, as well as two courtyards – one for the priests and one for the people. After seven years, the construction work was complete. People travelled to Jerusalem from all across the nation for the dedication ceremony.

Thousands assembled in the temple courtyards for the occasion. To begin, the priests offered many animal sacrifices to God. Then they carried the Ark of the Covenant into the temple and installed it in the Holy of Holies. As they came back out, musicians sang hymns and played instruments to celebrate God’s goodness and mercy.

Next, King Solomon stood on a bronze platform to bless the people. Raising his hands to heaven, he then offered a lengthy prayer to God. He prayed that God would be present in the new temple, hear the prayers of those who worshipped there and forgive their sins. He also asked God to listen to the prayers of any foreigners who came to visit.

Following further sacrifices and trumpet fanfares, the ceremony came to an end, although there were celebrations in Jerusalem for many days afterwards. Afterwards, God appeared to Solomon again, saying that he had accepted his prayers about the new temple.

This stained glass scene of Solomon dedicating the temple is found within the sanctuary of English Martyrs, in Streatham. Produced by Hardman & Co and dating to 1897, it’s one of a series of six windows that picture various Old Testament figures offering sacrifice to God. Such stories were traditionally understood as ancient parallels of the Sacrifice of the Mass.

On the left of this window, we see priests offering animal sacrifices, while on the right the temple musicians sing praises to God. In the centre, on the raised platform, King Solomon lifts his hands to God in prayer. This action reflects the gestures of the priest below during each Mass.

See the full image:

Detail of King Solomon:

Detail of the priests:

Detail of the temple musicians:

Where to find this work of art
English Martyrs, Streatham

Read the relevant passage
1 Kings 8:1-66

On a similar theme

• From the Old Testament: King Solomon built and dedicated the temple at the start of his reign, after he had prayed to God for wisdom.
• From the New Testament: St Zechariah the priest had a vision of St Gabriel the Archangel while he was offering sacrifice in the rebuilt temple.