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Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools

to find supplies to feed them. Solomon and used as a teaching and pilgrimage
appointed twelve administrators in centre.
charge of twelve regions. These were
similar to today’s tax officers, whose The temple’s construction promoted
duty was to collect tax and revenue from good relationships between Israel and
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the respective regions and provide for her neighbouring states, as they used
the king’s household and officials. to visit Israel. In addition, the temple’s
construction promoted trade between
Construction of the temple of Israel and other nations because Israel
Jerusalem (1 Kings 5:1-7:51) wanted some construction items,
Solomon’s construction of the Temple especially timber, from Tyre. It united
was another way to maintain good the people of Israel and led to the
governance by creating a good centralisation of the Israelites’ worship
relationship with God and among the in Jerusalem. Hence, people from all
people themselves (1 Kings 5:1-7:51). over Israel came to Jerusalem to worship
Many reasons prompted Solomon’s God.
building of the temple. Solomon
wanted to fulfil his father’s desire to The temple promoted monotheism.
build a temple. His father had collected It helped to rededicate Israel to the
most of the materials needed for worship of God as it acted as a centre
building the temple. Furthermore, the for worship. It also symbolised God’s
peaceful atmosphere that characterised protection over the Israelites against
Solomon’s reign motivated him to build their enemies. The Israelites used to go
the temple. Hiram, the king of Tyre, to the temple to seek God’s protection
advised Solomon to build the temple; before going to war.
however, on a commercial ground,

the king of Tyre wanted to trade with The Ark of the Covenant was enshrined
Solomon. in the temple. The Ark of the Covenant
was moved to a more secure or fixed
The importance of the temple to the place, making the temple very religious.
Israelites The temple acted as a place for seeking
The temple built by Solomon had many forgiveness from God. Whenever the
roles. Through it, people had a common Israelites sinned, they went to the temple
place for prayer and sacrifices and to seek forgiveness through repentance.
became a symbol of unity among the The temple became a tourism centre for
Israelites. Furthermore, the temple was foreigners because it was magnificently
a place for atonement. The building was built, and many people visited Israel to
believed to be a dwelling place of God look at the temple. In short, the temple
and where social functions could be was built to promote Israel society’s
carried out. Assemblies were held there welfare and draw people closer to God.

26 Form Five Student’s Book