History

Solomon, for the execution of such a great undertaking, was to be faithfully assisted with counsel and deed. (2 Chron. 3:17, 18.) He himself gave for the building of the Temple from his own fortune and the royal treasury many excellent precious stones, three thousand hundredweights original: "Centner," a historical unit of weight roughly equal to 100-110 pounds. of gold from Ophir A legendary port or region mentioned in the Bible, famous for its wealth and high-quality gold., and seven thousand hundredweights of silver. (1 Chron. 29:3, 4, 5.)

The princes of his realm followed the King’s praiseworthy example and gave one thousand hundredweights of gold and ten thousand guilders original: "Gülden," a gold coin used in various European states., ten thousand hundredweights of silver, eighteen thousand hundredweights of bronze, and one hundred thousand hundredweights of iron, and presented a great quantity of very costly precious stones for the even more magnificent decoration of the Temple. (v. 6–9.) King David also appointed the builders and stonemasons. (1 Chron. 22:2.) He procured much ironwork (v. 3), and had cedar wood brought from Tyre and Sidon (v. 4), so that a very great quantity of all those building materials was available for the upcoming Temple construction. (v. 5.)

Now, when King David thereafter fell asleep, old and full of days, and GOD the LORD confirmed the kingdom to Solomon and gave him peace and rest during his fortunate reign (1 Kings 5:4), he earnestly undertook the Temple construction entrusted to him by his father, King David, with GOD’s help. He sent to Hiram original: "Huram," the King of Tyre who entered into a famous alliance with Solomon., the King of Tyre, and requested that he send him a significant number of skilled workmen, which was done. (v. 8–15.) Thereupon King Solomon divided the laborers into certain orders. Seventy thousand he appointed to carry burdens, eighty thousand were carpenters, and three thousand six hundred he appointed as officials original: "Amtleute," meaning overseers or administrators. who were to supervise the workers and the entire construction. (2 Chron. 2:1, 2.) Because it was also a very difficult task to establish such an important and extensive building upon a high mountain, the workers were only permitted to work for one month at a time, and for two months they rested, while others took up the work in the meantime. (v. 14.)

So that a truly stable and lasting foundation might be laid, very large stones were hewn for it (v. 17, 18), and the workmen immediately on the spot hewed the stones and the wood so well and skillfully that, during the erection of the building itself on Mount Moriah The sacred hill in Jerusalem where the Temple was built; traditionally linked to the site where Abraham was tested., nothing had to be changed in the slightest; rather, it only had to be joined together. In this regard, it is said that neither hammer, nor axe, nor any iron tool was heard during the building. (v. 7.) Now, while through GOD’s grace everything regarding the construction went well and