Solomon’s temple

Also known as the first Temple. As its name suggests, Solomon's Temple was built at the instigation of King Solomon to house the Ark of the Covenant (in the Holy of Holies) and to be the sole place of worship for the Israelites. It is thought to have been constructed in the mid-tenth century BC and to have been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. It was made up of the Holy of Holies which was a perfect square (20 cubits by 20 cubits by 20 cubits); only the High Priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies and only then once a year on the Day of Atonement. Outside of the Holy of Holies was the Hekhal or Holy Place where the priests were allowed to enter, it was the same dimensions as the Holy of Holies but was 40 cubits in length instead of 20. On the front of the Hekhal was the Ulam or porch which was 20 cubits in width and 10 cubits long. There were additional buildings along the sides for storage and around the temple two courts, one inside the other: the inner and outer court. The outer court was where God's people gathered to worship.