The time chosen for the dedication was a most favorable one--the seventh month, when the people from every part of the kingdom were accustomed to assemble at Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast was preeminently an occasion of rejoicing. The labors of the harvest being ended and the toils of the new year not yet begun, the people were free from care and could give themselves up to the sacred, joyous influences of the hour. 38

Man havde valgt et meget gunstigt tidspunkt til at indvi templet, nemlig den syvende måned, i hvilken folket plejede at komme fra alle dele af riget for at fejre løvhyttefesten i Jerusalem. Dette var en stor glædesfest. Høsten travlhed var forbi, det nye års hårde arbejde var endnu ikke begyndt, folket var ubesværet og kunne tage del i den hellige glædesfest med hele deres sjæl.