Solomon's Temple (Dates, etc...)
Each incarnation of the temple has served as the cultural and religious center of Judaism. There have been two official temples of Jerusalem, although there have in actuality, been three (Herod the Great, the same Herod that wanted Jesus killed at birth, destroyed the Second Temple, in order to rebuild it as a greater temple). They have all been constucted at the same location. It is prophesied that a Third Temple will be constructed.
First Temple (Solomon's Temple):
- Completed: 10th Century (988?) B.C. by King Solomon.
- Destroyed: 586 B.C. by Nebuchadnezzar II (Nebuchadnezzar the Great), King of Bablylon
- Materials supplied by Hiram I, King of Tyre
- Biblical account of its construction form much of the basis of Freemasonry, which regards Hiram Abiff, the temple's architect, as the holder of a great secret of which they are now the keepers.
- Kind David original envisaged the Temple's creation.
- The original Temple housed the Ark of the Covenant.