The Tabernacles Dedication

King Solomon (see Israelite Monarchy - The United Kingdom) carried out the Temple-building plans of his father King David (see David's Temple Prayer; also David, Future King Of Israel):

"^6:1 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 KJV)

The completion of the Temple was marked by the bringing of The Ark Of The Covenant (see also Raiders Of The Lost Ark) to the new Temple. That event occurred at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles ("the feast of the seventh month").

"^8:1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David [see The City of David], which is Zion [see Zionism]. ^8:2 And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.

^8:3 And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark. ^8:4 And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up. ^8:5 And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude." (1 Kings 8:1-5 KJV)

"The glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD"

When the Ark was placed, the LORD (i.e. the Messiah - see Christ The Creator, 'Before Abraham Was, I AM' and 'The God Of The Old Testament') "filled the house of the LORD." The significance of Christ doing that may be found in Christ's Mercy Seat.

"^8:6 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house [see Oracles], to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims. ^8:7 For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the Staves thereof above. ^8:8 And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day. ^8:9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb [see What Did The Ten Commandments Look Like?], when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

^8:10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, ^8:11 So that the priests could not stand to Minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD [see The Clouds of Heaven and He That Sat On The Cloud].

^8:12 Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. ^8:13 I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever." (1 Kings 8:6-13 KJV)

Solomon then addressed the whole assembly of Israel with a history of the Ark's journey to the Temple (1 Kings 8:14-21) and a prayer of dedication to the LORD (1 Kings 8:22-61). The people of Israel then celebrated the Christian-prophetic Feast of Tabernacles (see Feast Of Tabernacles: The Gospel Of The Kingdom).

"^8:65 And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.

^8:66 On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people." (1 Kings 8:65-66 KJV)

Fact Finder: Who originated the plan to build a Temple? Did the LORD originally instruct them to build Him only a tent (tabernacle means a tent, or other temporary shelter)?
See God's Tent