1 Kings 6
THE 480th year in the first verse is evidently reckoned from the time when the children of Israel were settled in the land of Canaan, for the period of the Judges was 390 years (including Eli’s day), and Samuel adds 12 years to Mizpeh when Saul was made king, then Saul and David each reigned 40 years. This, if the part years of judges and reigns, which are called years, be allowed for, will cover the time from Joshua’s death, to the fourth year of Solomon’s reign.
It may be helpful to state the location and plan of the temple area. The summit of Mount Moriah, one of the hills of Jerusalem. was chosen, because there was the threshing floor of Araunah, where the plague was stopped when God was punishing Israel (2 Samuel 24:2424And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. (2 Samuel 24:24); 2 Chronicles 3:11Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. (2 Chronicles 3:1)). To provide a level area large enough, a great wall was built enclosing a rectangle about 1500 feet from north to south, and 1000 feet from east to west. The interior which was filled in and paved, was reached by gates and passage ways, leading upward. This wall substantially remains to the present time.
On the paved height just referred to, the temple building which verse 2 mentions, was erected. Reckoning a cubit, for ready convenience, to be the same as 2 feet, though it was probably about 1 foot 10 inches, we place the size of the temple proper at 120 feet by 40 feet, and 60 feet high. It was however divided into two portions, the holy place and the most holy or oracle; the holy place was 80 by 40 feet, and the most holy 40 by 40 feet (verses 16 and 17).
In front of the building just mentioned was a large porch 20 feet broad and 40 feet long, the full width of the building, and a series of rooms was built on either side of the house; they were 90 in number, 30 on each of three floors.
The complete building we have considered, consisting of the central two portions, the entrance porch and the rooms on either side, was built of stone made ready before it was brought there, so that there was neither hammer nor ax nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was being built (verse 7).
It will be well to consider also John 14:22In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2), the Father’s house. heaven itself, where are “many mansions,” or dwellings, as we think of the 90 rooms attached to the temple Solomon built.
The house was covered or ceiled with cedar beams and boards. These beams, were semicircular, thus forming a dome for the covering. In a general way the temple was now complete; its structure was displayed. (Verse 9).
And now came the word of the Lord to Solomon (verses 11-13) impressing upon him the importance of a life lived before God, the very ground of His dwelling among them. If they turned away from God, He would leave them; this is what has happened. He withdrew His presence (see Ezekiel chapters 9, 10, 11), and Israel were given up to their enemies. Observing God’s solemn words, however, Solomon built and finished the house (verse 14).
The temple was covered within and without with cedar and fir (or as some think, cypress). Within, the cedar was carved with knobs or gourds and open flowers (verse 18). The oracle or holiest of all, was again overlaid with gold, and the altar likewise; lastly the whole house was overlaid with gold. Within the holiest, Solomon made two cherubim of olive wood, each 20 feet high, side by side, and their wings were stretched out so that they touched the two side walls, and met at the middle of the forty-foot room. These were overlaid with gold. All the walls of the house were carved with figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers. The floor was overlaid with gold. Doors of olive wood, carved like the walls, and overspread with gold, were provided for the holiest, and folding doors of fir or cypress for the temple door, also carved and covered with gold.
The temple, with its immediate surroundings is called the inner court in verse 36. This occupied the central portion of the level area within the great surrounding wall. Beyond, was the court of the priests, and an enclosing area was the outer or great court. Concerning these, and the temple itself, we are given much information in 2 Chronicles.
Nothing but gold was to be seen; all was bright with the glory of divine righteousness, though the materials beneath were costly stones, and the humbled cedars of Lebanon.
ML 05/22/1927