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'Our Holy and Beautiful House': When and Why Was 1 Kings 6-8 Written?

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The reason for the existence of a detailed description of Solomon's temple in 1 Kings 6-8 is not self-evident. There is a pnma facie case that it was written while the temple was still standing. Comparison with other accounts of temples suggests that the main interest was architectural and aesthetic. If 1 Kgs 6-8 is taken as a whole, the most likely time for it to have been written was between 597 and 587 BCE, while the temple was still standing but seriously threatened. This is the situation in Jeremiah 27-28. The description of the temple reminds Judah of what it is in danger of losing through disobedience, and Solomon's prayer reminds God of the place of the temple in his relationship with his people.

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