1 Kings 6

The Temple as a type of Christ

And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD. 1 Kings 6:1–2

The temple is the house of Jehovah, the premortal Christ, and the place where God and His people meet. Jesus called His own body a temple, so the whole building points to Him as the true meeting place between God and us.

• a type of what is in John 2:19-21 — Jesus: "Destroy this temple"; He spake of the temple of His body.
• a parallel account in 2 Chronicles 3:1 — Chronicles account of Solomon beginning the house of the LORD.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name, "I AM" / the Eternal One

And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, 1 Kings 6:11–13

The LORD (Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ) speaks and promises to dwell among His people and never forsake them if they keep His commandments. His covenant with David is the same covenant that would bring the Messiah.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• alludes to Exodus 29:45 — Same promise at the tabernacle: "I will dwell among the children of Israel."
• alludes to 2 Samuel 7:12-13 — The word Jehovah spoke to David about his son building the house.

Mercy Seat / Most Holy Place

And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 1 Kings 6:19–21

The oracle, or most holy place (v. 16), held the ark of the covenant and was closed off from the rest of the house. Hebrews teaches that Christ, our High Priest, entered the true holy place with His own blood, opening the way into God's presence.

• a type of what is in Hebrews 9:11-12 — Christ entered once into the holy place by His own blood.
• a type of what is in Hebrews 9:24 — The holy places made with hands are figures of the true, which Christ entered.