1 Kings Chapter 6 Summary - Key Points & Themes

Read 1 Kings Chapter 6 Summary

In Solomon's fourth year, four hundred eighty years after the exodus, temple construction begins. The temple is sixty cubits long, twenty wide, thirty high, with a vestibule twenty cubits wide. Windows, side chambers on three floors, and internal cedar paneling hide all stone. The LORD's word comes to Solomon: if he walks in His statutes and ordinances, God will fulfill the promise to David and dwell among Israel. The inner sanctuary (the Most Holy Place) for the ark is twenty cubits cubed, overlaid with gold, containing two cherubim of olive wood fifteen cubits high with wings spanning the room. After seven years, Solomon completes the temple overlaid with gold, its doors of olive wood and cypress carved with cherubim, palms, and flowers.

Original

Characters in This Chapter

Solomon

David's son, wisest and wealthiest king, builder of the temple, but later fell into idolatry

Elijah

Prophet who confronted Baal worship and demonstrated God's power on Mount Carmel

Ahab

Wicked king of Israel who promoted Baal worship through his wife Jezebel

Jezebel

Ahab's Phoenician wife who promoted Baal worship and persecuted God's prophets

Rehoboam

Solomon's son whose harsh policies caused the kingdom to divide

David

King of Israel

Places in This Chapter

Jerusalem

Capital of the united kingdom and later Judah, site of Solomon's temple

Mount Carmel

Site of Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal

Bethel

One of Jeroboam's unauthorized worship sites with golden calves

Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai (Horeb) where Elijah fled and encountered God

Egypt

Egypt plays a significant role throughout the Bible, from the time of Abraham to the flight of the Holy Family. Joseph was sold into slavery there and rose to become second to Pharaoh, saving his family during famine. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years before God delivered them through Moses in the Exodus. Jesus' family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod, fulfilling the prophecy "Out of Egypt I called my son."

The Temple

The Temple in Jerusalem was the permanent house of worship built by Solomon on Mount Moriah. Destroyed by Babylon, it was rebuilt by Zerubbabel and later greatly expanded by Herod. Jesus taught in the Temple courts, cleared it of merchants, and predicted its destruction, which occurred in 70 AD.

Position in Book

Solomon's ReignChapters 1-11

Solomon becomes king, receives wisdom, builds the temple, but later turns to idolatry.

The Kingdom DividesChapters 12-14

Kings of Israel and JudahChapters 15-16

Elijah's MinistryChapters 17-22