V.1-10 This building was more than twelve times the size of the tabernacle building. The tabernacle had been made of boards which could be taken down and moved, necessary for traveling through the wilderness, but this temple was built of stone, as a permanent building in the promised land. This temple went up without a sound from man’s tools (v. 7).
V.11-13 Further blessing for Israel depended upon Solomon’s faithfulness.
V.14-22 The cedar tree represents the glory of man at his best. It is all hidden in this temple by being entirely covered with gold (divine righteousness). The “oracle” was the room for the ark (v. 19), and there was also the altar (v. 22), just as in the tabernacle, though everything was in larger scale except the ark.
V.23-28 Cherubim for the ark are connected with this room too. In the millennium there will be the government of the Lord to rule everything perfectly and judging sins every day. Cherubim (heavenly beings) carry out God’s punishment for sins.
V.29-36 The tabernacle had a veil of linen in front of the room in which the ark stood, but in this temple there are folding doors of wood covered with gold. In Christianity we believers have no “doors” keeping us from the presence of God (Heb. 10:19-22); but Israel did not and will not have such a favored place of liberty.
V.37-38 The temple is finished.