What point was Stephen making by rehearsing Israel's history and the temple?
Stephen was driving home that the Messiah they crucified was the promised Son of God, the King of Israel, and the Son of David, fulfilling Old Testament promises. He also emphasized that the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, since heaven is His throne and earth is His footstool.
Les explains that Stephen rehearses Israel’s history—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon—to show how God’s promises culminated in the Messiah. When Stephen mentions Solomon building the temple, he points out that the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands; heaven is His throne and earth is His footstool. Les emphasizes that Stephen is driving home the fact that the Messiah they crucified was the promised Son of God, the King of Israel, the Son of David, and the fulfillment of Old Testament promises.