Reconstruction and Destruction: King Solomon's Temple

The second temple, built by King Solomon, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. When the Jews returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile, King Darius allowed the temple to be rebuilt. Instead of focusing on rebuilding the temple, however, they concentrated on rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem and as well as their own houses. Over the next four hundred years, the temple continued to decline as a result of natural decay and hostile enemy assaults.

In 39 BC, Herod won a battle which gave him control of Jerusalem. During this battle, he slaughtered many priests and defenders of the temple. The temple continued to lay in ruins until approximately 19 BC. In Herod’s desire to gain favor with the Jews, he offered to rebuild their temple. The main part of the temple was completed in about ten years, but the embellishment work continued throughout the Lord’s lifetime. The finishing touches on the temple were completed in approximately 63 AD, just 7 years before it was completely destroyed.

Archeological evidence shows the dimensions of the temple were approximately 1,550 by 1,000 feet. Entrance into the temple was from several gates: two

from the south, four from the west, one from the east (Golden Gate), and an underground passage from the Antonia Fortress. Huge staircases led up to each gate, and inside the temple were several roofed walkways, called porticoes, which were supported by tall marble pillars. The eastern portico, named for King
Solomon, is where 12-year old Jesus listened and talked with the scholars. Jesus rode on a donkey through the Eastern Gate which was prophesied by Nehemiah and Ezekiel.
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Herod’s temple had two courts, an inner court for the Israelites only and a large outer court called the “Court of the Gentiles.” The Court of the Gentiles is where visitors from all nations were allowed to come and worship.

Jesus overturned the tables of the moneychangers in the Court of the Gentiles (Matthew 21:12). On the east side of the Court of the Gentiles was a staircase that led to the main entrance which was called the Beautiful Gate. To the left of this gate were thirteen trumpet-shaped containers for voluntary offerings. Mark records the story of Jesus witnessing the widow offering her last mite into this container (12:41-44). To the west of the Beautiful Gate is a staircase that led to the Gate of Nicanor. Mary brought Baby Jesus to the Gate of Nicanor where he was presented to and blessed by

Simeon.
Herod’s temple was constructed very similar to the first tabernacle. Behind the first veil was the Hall (called the Holy Place in the tabernacle) which contained the Golden Altar for the incense offering, the Golden Table for the shewbread, and the Golden Lampstand. There was another veil that separated the Hall from the Holy of Holies. Since the Ark of the Covenant had been missing for many years, there were no furnishings in this room. This is the veil that was torn when Jesus was crucified (Matthew 27:51).
After a long civil battle between Jewish zealots and Roman authorities, Jerusalem was attacked by General Titus in 70 AD. He destroyed and burned the temple, and it was never rebuilt. Where Herod’s temple once stood is now the Dome of the Rock, an Islamic mosque. The only part remaining of Herod’s temple is the western wall known today as “The Wailing Wall.”