The spot on which the temple was built had long been regarded as a consecrated place. It was here that Abraham, the father of the faithful, had revealed his willingness to sacrifice his only son in obedience to the command of Jehovah. Here God had renewed with Abraham the covenant of blessing, which included the glorious Messianic promise to the human race of deliverance through the sacrifice of the Son of the Most High. See Genesis 22:9, 16:18. Here it was that when David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to stay the avenging sword of the destroying angel, God had answered him by fire from heaven. See 1 Chronicles 21. And now once more the worshipers of Jehovah were here to meet their God and renew their vows of allegiance to Him.

Den grund, hvor templet lå, var længe blevet betragtet som et helligt sted. Det var her, Abraham, de troendes fader, beviste, at han var villig til at ofre sin eneste søn i lydighed mod Guds bud. Her havde Gud fornyet velsignelsens pagt med Abraham den pagt, der indbefattede det herlige Messiasløfte, som lovede menneskeheden befrielse ved ofringen af den Allerhøjestes Søn. (Se 1Mos. 22,9. og 16-18.) Det var her, at Herren svarede David med ild fra Himmelen, da David bragte brændofre og takofre for at standse Herrens engels sværd. (Se 1Krøn. 21.) Nu skulle Herrens folk atter mødes med deres Gud på dette sted og forny deres troskabsløfter til ham.