1 Kings 6:1
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the month of Ziv, the second month of the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, he began to build the house of the LORD.
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt,

The temple was begun 480 years after God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage. The Exodus remained the defining act of redemption in Israel’s national history, and the temple marked the establishment of settled worship in the land God had promised them.

Exo 12:40-41 Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt…
Act 13:17-20 The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers.…
Gal 3:17 The law that came 430 years later does not revoke…

in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel,

Solomon had inherited a unified and secure kingdom from David. With the nation at peace, he could carry out the task God had assigned to David’s son: building a permanent house for the worship of the LORD.

2Ch 3:2 Solomon began construction on the second day…
2Ch 9:30 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
1Ki 11:42 Thus the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem…

in the month of Ziv, the second month,

Construction began in the month of Ziv, the second month of Israel’s religious year, during the spring season. This time of renewal appropriately marked the beginning of Israel’s central sanctuary.

Ezr 3:8 In the second month of the second year…
Exo 16:1 On the fifteenth day of the second month…
Num 10:11 On the twentieth day of the second month,…

he began to build the house of the LORD.

The temple replaced the portable tabernacle as the appointed place for Israel’s sacrifices, prayer, and worship. It testified that the LORD had established His name among His covenant people and fulfilled His promise concerning David’s son.

1Ki 5:5 So behold, I plan to build a house for the Name of the LORD…
2Sa 7:13 He will build a house for My Name, and I will…
1Ch 17:12 He will build a house for Me, and I will…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The son of David and king of Israel, known for his wisdom and for building the temple in Jerusalem.

2. Israelites
The descendants of Jacob, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and established as a nation under God.

3. Egypt
The land from which the Israelites were delivered, symbolizing bondage and oppression.

4. Ziv
The second month of the ancient Hebrew calendar, corresponding to April-May, when the construction of the temple began.

5. The House of the LORD
Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship for the Israelites and a symbol of God's presence among His people.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness Over Time
The 480 years since the Exodus highlight God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises across generations. Reflect on how God has been faithful in your life and community.

The Importance of Worship
The temple was central to Israel's worship. Consider how worship is central in your life and how you can prioritize it.

Preparation and Timing
Solomon began building the temple in the fourth year of his reign, showing the importance of preparation and God's timing. Reflect on areas in your life where you need to wait on God's timing.

Legacy and Continuity
Solomon's building of the temple was a continuation of David's vision. Think about the legacy you are building and how it aligns with God's purposes.

Symbolism of the Temple
The temple symbolized God's presence. In the New Testament, believers are described as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Consider how you can live as a reflection of God's presence.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the timeline of 480 years since the Exodus emphasize God's faithfulness in your own life?

2. In what ways can you make worship a central part of your daily routine, similar to the role of the temple in Israel?

3. How can you discern and align with God's timing in your current life decisions, as Solomon did with the temple construction?

4. What legacy are you building in your family or community, and how does it reflect God's purposes?

5. How can you embody the presence of God in your daily interactions, knowing that you are a temple of the Holy Spirit?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12
The deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, marking the beginning of their journey to becoming a nation under God.

2 Samuel 7
God's covenant with David, promising that his son would build a house for God's name.

1 Chronicles 22
David's preparation for the temple, highlighting the continuity of God's plan through generations.

Acts 7
Stephen's speech, which references the building of the temple and God's presence with His people.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the significance of the earthly sanctuary and its fulfillment in Christ.
The Purposes of the TempleA. Rowland 1 Kings 6:1
CharacterW. M. Johnston, M. A.1 Kings 6:1-14
Church Architecture1 Kings 6:1-14
Church Building1 Kings 6:1-14
Solomon's Temple Viewed as a Type of the Glorified ChurchJ. H. Hill.1 Kings 6:1-14
The Heavenly TempleJ. S. Bird, B. A.1 Kings 6:1-14
The Law of BeautyN. D. Hillis, D. D.1 Kings 6:1-14
The Soul's TempleN. D. Hillis, D. D.1 Kings 6:1-14
The Temple BuiltMonday Club Sermons1 Kings 6:1-14
The Temple BuiltS. S. Times1 Kings 6:1-14
The Temple BuiltH. A. Nelson, D. D.1 Kings 6:1-14
People
David, Israelites, Solomon
Places
Egypt, Jerusalem, Most Holy Place
Topics
Build, Buildeth, Building, Egypt, Eightieth, Fourth, Hundred, Israelites, Lord's, Month, Pass, Reign, Reigning, Solomon, Solomon's, Sons, Started, Temple, Zif, Ziv
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 6:1

     1680   types
     4909   beginning
     4951   month
     5119   Solomon, life of
     5366   king

1 Kings 6:1-2

     5478   property, houses
     7382   house of God

1 Kings 6:1-10

     5207   architecture

1 Kings 6:1-37

     7236   Israel, united kingdom

Library
Great Preparations for a Great Work
'And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David. 2. And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, 3. Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the Lord his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. 4. But now the Lord my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The First Part
Of the Apocalyptical Commentaries, according to the Rule of the Apocalyptical Key, on the First Prophecy which is contained in the Seals and Trumpets; with an Introduction concerning the Scene of the Apocalypse. As it is my design to investigate the meaning of the Apocalyptical visions, it is requisite for me to treat, in the first place, of that celestial theatre to which John was called, in order to behold them, exhibited as on a stage, and afterwards of the prophecies in succession, examined by
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse

The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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