Looking back at the earliest years of God's chosen people, we can see that worship played a significant role in their everyday lives. Until the Temple in Jerusalem was built, there was no actual establishment or unification of the people since their captivity to Egypt. Solomon, one of Israel's first few kings, built the Temple of Jerusalem. Solomon's Temple was believed to be the dwelling place of God.
             The Temple was a very complex structure, and because of its destruction there is no abundance of information upon its exact design. Therefore, most of the information that we have today is taken from the books of Kings and the books of Chronicles in the Holy Bible. In this paper, the Biblical references come from a New King James Version of the Holy Bible. This paper will examine the history behind Solomon's Temple, its structure, and its downfall.
             A Brief Introduction to Solomon's Temple
             In the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel came out of Egypt, Solomon built the Temple. The building of Solomon's Temple lasted seven years. The completion of the Temple was in the eleventh year of Solomon's reign. Although it underwent many changes and renovations, Solomon's Temple stood for nearly four centuries until its destruction in 586 BC.
             The Temple was considered to be a divine presence; it included such things as the ark, the cherubim, and on very rare occasions a statue of Yahweh. It also contained objects used in God's service such as the table of shewbread, and a lampstand. The altar was not included with the temple building but in an open court adjoining the Temple. The format of the Temple is laid out in the books of Kings and also in Chronicles. Solomon's Temple was designed to be a more magnificent shrine than any other in the land, one benefiting the wealth and splendor of the king himself.
             The Temple was not built until the reign of Solomon, but significant steps had already ...