Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 6

Introduction

Overview

1 Kings 6:1, The building of Solomon’s temple; 1 Kings 6:5, The chambers thereof; 1 Kings 6:11, God’s promise unto it; 1 Kings 6:15, The ceiling and adorning of it; 1 Kings 6:23, The cherubims; 1 Kings 6:31, The doors; 1 Kings 6:36, The court; 1 Kings 6:37, The time of building it.

Verse 1

am 2993, bc 1011, An, Ex, Is, 480

And it came: Judges 11:26, 2 Chronicles 3:1, 2 Chronicles 3:2

in the month Zif: 1 Kings 6:37, Numbers 1:1

began: Heb. built, Acts 7:47

build: 1 Chronicles 29:19, Zechariah 6:12, Zechariah 6:13, Zechariah 6:15, John 2:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:20-22, Colossians 2:7, Hebrews 9:11, Hebrews 11:10, 1 Peter 2:5

Reciprocal: Exodus 31:6 - that they 1 Kings 3:1 - the house 1 Kings 6:38 - seven years 1 Kings 10:4 - the house 1 Kings 11:4 - when Solomon 1 Chronicles 6:10 - Solomon 2 Chronicles 9:3 - the house Ezra 5:11 - which a great Hebrews 4:7 - after

Verse 2

the house: Ezekiel 40:1 - Ezekiel 41:26

the length: According to Bp. Cumberland's estimation of the cubit, its length was 36 yds. 1 ft. 5/28 inch; its breadth 12 yds. 5/76 inch; and its height, 18 yds. 8/64 inch This constituted what is properly called the temple; but, besides this, there were the courts and colonnades, where the people might assemble to perform their devotions, without being exposed to the open air.

threescore: Ezra 6:3, Ezra 6:4, Ezekiel 41:1-15, Revelation 21:16, Revelation 21:17

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 6:20 - twenty cubits 2 Chronicles 3:3 - The length Psalms 78:69 - And he

Verse 3

1 Chronicles 28:11, 2 Chronicles 3:3, 2 Chronicles 3:4, Ezekiel 41:15, Matthew 4:5, John 10:23, Acts 3:10, Acts 3:11

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 6:20 - twenty cubits 1 Kings 7:7 - a porch 1 Kings 7:21 - the porch 2 Chronicles 29:17 - the porch Ezra 6:3 - the height Ezekiel 40:48 - the porch Joel 2:17 - between

Verse 4

windows of narrow lights: or, windows broad within, and narrow without; or, skewed and closed, 1 Kings 6:4, Song of Solomon 2:9, Ezekiel 40:16, Ezekiel 41:26

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:4 - windows Ezekiel 41:16 - narrow

Verse 5

against: or, upon, or joining to

built: 1 Chronicles 9:26, 1 Chronicles 23:28, 1 Chronicles 28:11, 2 Chronicles 31:11, Nehemiah 10:37, Nehemiah 12:44, Nehemiah 13:5-9, Song of Solomon 1:4, Jeremiah 35:4, Ezekiel 40:44, Ezekiel 41:5-11, Ezekiel 42:3-12

chambers: Heb. floors, These appear to have been what we should now call corridors or galleries; in which were apartments for the use of the priests. They consisted of three stories, and increased one cubit in breadth in every story, the wall of the temple being two cubits thicker at the bottom than at the top; and where the wall diminished, a rest was thus formed for the beams of the chambers to lodge upon.

oracle: 1 Kings 6:16, 1 Kings 6:19-21, 1 Kings 6:31, Exodus 25:22, Leviticus 16:2, Numbers 7:89, 2 Chronicles 4:20, 2 Chronicles 5:7, 2 Chronicles 5:9, Psalms 28:2

chambers: Heb. ribs

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 6:21 - by the chains 1 Kings 7:3 - beams 2 Kings 11:2 - in the bedchamber Nehemiah 6:10 - the house Jeremiah 35:2 - into one Ezekiel 40:7 - General Ezekiel 40:17 - there were

Verse 6

narrowed rests: or, narrowings, or rebatements, 1 Kings 6:6

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 11:2 - in the bedchamber 1 Chronicles 28:11 - upper chambers Jeremiah 35:2 - into one Ezekiel 41:5 - side chamber Ezekiel 41:6 - and they

Verse 7

built of stone: 1 Kings 5:17, 1 Kings 5:18, Deuteronomy 27:5, Deuteronomy 27:6, Proverbs 24:27, Romans 9:23, 2 Corinthians 5:5, Colossians 1:12, 1 Peter 2:5

neither hammer: Isaiah 42:2, Acts 9:31, James 1:20, James 3:17, James 3:18

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 22:2 - masons 2 Chronicles 8:16 - General Ephesians 2:21 - fitly

Verse 8

side: Heb. shoulder

went up: Ezekiel 41:6, Ezekiel 41:7

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 11:2 - in the bedchamber Ezekiel 40:6 - stairs Ezekiel 40:38 - the chambers Ezekiel 42:6 - General Ezekiel 43:17 - look toward

Verse 9

he built: 1 Kings 6:14, 1 Kings 6:38

with beams and boards of cedar: or, the vault beams and the ceilings with cedar

Reciprocal: Exodus 40:33 - So Moses 1 Kings 5:6 - cedar trees

Verse 10

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 5:6 - cedar trees 2 Kings 11:2 - in the bedchamber 1 Chronicles 28:11 - upper chambers Jeremiah 35:2 - into one Ezekiel 41:6 - and they

Verse 12

if thou wilt: 1 Kings 2:3, 1 Kings 2:4, 1 Kings 3:14, 1 Kings 8:25, 1 Kings 9:3-6, 1 Samuel 12:14, 1 Samuel 12:15, 1 Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 7:17, 2 Chronicles 7:18, Psalms 132:12, Zechariah 3:7, Colossians 1:23

then will I perform: 2 Samuel 7:13, 1 Chronicles 22:10

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:1 - the judgments 1 Kings 8:23 - walk before 1 Kings 9:5 - I will establish 1 Kings 11:4 - his heart 1 Kings 11:10 - commanded 1 Kings 11:33 - they have forsaken 1 Kings 11:38 - if thou wilt 2 Kings 22:6 - builders 1 Chronicles 28:7 - if 2 Chronicles 6:14 - walk before 2 Chronicles 6:16 - saying Jeremiah 7:5 - if ye thoroughly

Verse 13

I will dwell: 1 Kings 8:27, Exodus 25:8, Leviticus 26:11, Psalms 68:18, Psalms 132:12, Psalms 132:13, Isaiah 57:15, Ezekiel 37:26-28, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Revelation 21:3

will not forsake: Deuteronomy 31:6, Deuteronomy 31:8, 1 Samuel 12:22, 1 Chronicles 28:9, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Hebrews 13:5

Reciprocal: Numbers 35:34 - dwell among 1 Kings 11:4 - his heart 1 Kings 11:10 - commanded 1 Kings 11:33 - they have forsaken 1 Chronicles 28:7 - if Nehemiah 9:17 - forsookest Jeremiah 7:5 - if ye thoroughly Jeremiah 51:5 - Israel Revelation 7:15 - dwell

Verse 14

am 2993-3000, bc 1011-1004, 1 Kings 6:9, 1 Kings 6:38, Acts 7:47, Acts 7:48

Verse 15

he built: That is, he lined or wainscoted the walls with cedar, the floor being covered with planks of fir. the marginal reading in this verse is preferable, as it removes every difficulty and obscurity.

both the floor of the house, and the walls: or, from the floor of the house, unto the walls, etc. and so 1 Kings 6:16

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 5:8 - timber of fir 2 Chronicles 3:5 - the greater Ezekiel 41:16 - ceiled with wood

Verse 16

built them: 1 Kings 6:5, 1 Kings 6:19, 1 Kings 6:20, 1 Kings 8:6, Exodus 25:21, Exodus 25:22, Exodus 26:23, Leviticus 16:2, 2 Chronicles 3:8, Ezekiel 45:3, Hebrews 9:3

the oracle: The oracle was the sanctuary, or holy of holies, in which there was nothing but the ark of the covenant, including the tables of the law, and into which the high priest alone was to enter but once a year.

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 5:6 - cedar trees 1 Kings 6:15 - General 1 Chronicles 28:11 - the houses 2 Chronicles 4:20 - the oracle Psalms 20:2 - from

Verse 17

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 4:20 - the oracle Ezekiel 41:2 - the length

Verse 18

knops: or, gourds, Pekaim, "artificial knops," in the shape of colocynths, or wild gourds, as the word denotes (see note on 2 Kings 4:39), the full-blown flowers of which must have been very ornamental.

open flowers: or, openings of flowers, 1 Kings 6:18

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:31 - his knops 1 Kings 6:29 - open flowers 1 Kings 6:32 - open flowers 1 Kings 7:19 - lily work 1 Kings 7:24 - knops 1 Kings 7:26 - with flowers 2 Chronicles 4:3 - oxen 2 Chronicles 4:21 - the flowers Psalms 74:6 - General

Verse 19

the oracle: 1 Kings 6:5, 1 Kings 6:16, 2 Chronicles 4:20, Psalms 28:2

to set: 1 Kings 8:6-10, Exodus 40:20, Exodus 40:21, 2 Chronicles 5:7, Hebrews 9:3, Hebrews 9:4

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 28:11 - the place 2 Chronicles 3:8 - the most holy 2 Chronicles 29:16 - the inner part

Verse 20

twenty cubits: 1 Kings 6:2, 1 Kings 6:3

pure: Heb. shut up

the altar: 1 Kings 6:22, 1 Kings 7:48, Exodus 30:1-3

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:11 - General Exodus 25:24 - General 1 Kings 5:6 - cedar trees 1 Kings 6:16 - built them 2 Chronicles 3:7 - overlaid 2 Chronicles 3:8 - the most holy 2 Chronicles 29:16 - the inner part Ezekiel 41:4 - twenty cubits Ezekiel 41:22 - altar Haggai 2:8 - General Revelation 21:21 - pure

Verse 21

overlaid: Exodus 26:29, Exodus 26:32, Exodus 36:34, 2 Chronicles 3:7-9

by the chains: 1 Kings 6:5, Exodus 26:32, Exodus 26:33, 2 Chronicles 3:14-16

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 3:5 - the greater 2 Chronicles 3:16 - chains

Verse 22

the whole house: It is impossible to calculate this expense, or the quantity of gold employed in this sacred building; but both must have been immense.

also: 1 Kings 6:20, Exodus 30:1, Exodus 30:3, Exodus 30:5, Exodus 30:6, 2 Chronicles 3:7-14

the whole altar: This was the altar of incense without the vail, in the holy place, which was twice the length of the most holy place.

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 3:5 - the greater Psalms 28:2 - thy holy oracle Ezekiel 41:22 - altar

Verse 23

two cherubims: These were distinct from, and much larger than those which covered the mercy-seat. Genesis 3:24, Exodus 25:18-22, Exodus 37:7-9, 2 Chronicles 3:10-13, Psalms 18:10, Psalms 80:1, Isaiah 37:16, Ezekiel 10:2-22, Hebrews 1:14, 1 Peter 1:12

olive tree: or, oily trees, Heb. trees of oil

Reciprocal: Exodus 36:8 - cherubims Numbers 7:89 - two cherubims 1 Chronicles 28:18 - the chariot 2 Chronicles 5:7 - to the oracle Psalms 28:2 - thy holy oracle

Verse 24

Reciprocal: Isaiah 6:2 - wings Ezekiel 1:6 - every one had four wings

Verse 25

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:24 - Cherubims

Verse 27

they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims: or, the cherubims stretched forth their wings, Exodus 25:20, Exodus 37:9, 2 Chronicles 3:11, 2 Chronicles 5:8

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:29 - lions 1 Kings 8:6 - under the wings Isaiah 6:2 - wings

Verse 29

carved figures: Exodus 36:8, 2 Chronicles 3:14, 2 Chronicles 4:2-5, Psalms 103:20, Psalms 148:2, Luke 2:13, Luke 2:14, Ephesians 3:10, Revelation 5:11-14

palm trees: Tamar, in Ethiopic, tamart, the palm tree, is so called, says Parkhurst, from its straight, upright growth, for which it seems more remarkable than any other tree; and it sometimes rises to the height of more than 100 feet. The trunk is remarkably straight and lofty; and it is crowned at the top with a large tuft of spiring leaves, about four feet long, which never fall off, but always continue in the same flourishing verdure. The stalks are generally full of rugged knots, which are vestiges of decayed leaves: for the trunk of the tree is not solid, but its centre is filled with pith, round which is a tough bark full of strong fibres when young, which, as the tree becomes old, hardens and becomes ligneous. To this bark the leaves are closely joined, which, as the tree becomes old, hardens and becomes ligneous. To this bark the leaves are closely joined, which in the centre rise erect, but after they are advanced above the vagina which surrounds them, they expand very wide on every side of the stem, and as the older leaves decay, the stalk advances in height. The leaves, when the tree has grown to a size for bearing fruit, are six or eight feet long, and very broad when expanded. The fruit, called the date, grows below the leaves in clusters. Psalms 92:12-15, Revelation 7:9

open flowers: Heb. openings of flowers, 1 Kings 6:18, 1 Kings 6:32

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:36 - graved cherubims 2 Chronicles 4:21 - the flowers Psalms 74:6 - General Ezekiel 10:20 - and I Ezekiel 40:16 - palm trees Ezekiel 40:22 - palm trees Ezekiel 41:18 - with cherubims

Verse 30

Isaiah 54:11, Isaiah 54:12, Isaiah 60:17, Revelation 21:18-21

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 3:7 - overlaid

Verse 31

doors: John 10:9, John 14:6, Ephesians 3:18, Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 10:20

a fifth part: or, five square

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 6:5 - oracle 2 Kings 18:16 - gold 2 Chronicles 4:22 - the entry Ezekiel 41:2 - the door Ezekiel 41:23 - General

Verse 32

two doors: or, leaves of the doors

open flowers: Heb. openings of flowers. 1 Kings 6:18, 1 Kings 6:29

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:19 - lily work 1 Kings 7:26 - with flowers 1 Kings 7:36 - graved cherubims 2 Chronicles 4:22 - the entry Psalms 74:6 - General Ezekiel 40:16 - palm trees Ezekiel 40:22 - palm trees

Verse 33

a fourth part: or, four square, 1 Kings 6:33

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 41:21 - posts

Verse 34

fir tree: 1 Kings 5:8

the two leaves: Ezekiel 41:23-25

Verse 35

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:26 - with flowers 1 Kings 7:36 - graved cherubims 2 Chronicles 3:7 - graved cherubims 2 Chronicles 4:21 - the flowers Psalms 74:6 - General Ezekiel 40:16 - palm trees Ezekiel 40:22 - palm trees

Verse 36

the inner: Exodus 27:9-19, Exodus 38:9-20, 2 Chronicles 4:9, 2 Chronicles 7:7, Revelation 11:2

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:12 - three rows 2 Kings 21:5 - in the two courts 2 Chronicles 6:13 - the court Ezra 6:4 - three rows

Verse 37

1 Kings 6:1, 2 Chronicles 3:2, among chronologists there is a great diversity of opinion respecting the time of the building of the temple.

Septuagint 440 Glycas 330 Josephus and Moeslinus 1Kings 6 592 Melchius Canus 590 Sulpicius Severus 588 Clemens Alexandrinus 570 Cedrenus 672 Codomus 598 Vossius and Capellus 580 Serarius 680 Nicholas Abraham 527 Petavius and Valtherus 520

After all, that in the common Hebrew Text is more likely to the true one, than any of the others.

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 9:1 - it came 1 Kings 9:10 - at the end of twenty Acts 7:47 - General

Verse 38

finished: Ezra 6:14, Ezra 6:15, Zechariah 4:9, Zechariah 6:13-15

throughout: etc. or, with all the appurtenances thereof, and with all the ordinances thereof

seven years: 1 Kings 6:1, 1 Kings 6:9, 1 Kings 7:1, Ezra 3:8-13, Ezra 6:15, John 2:20

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 6:14 - General 1 Kings 9:1 - it came 1 Kings 9:10 - at the end of twenty 1 Kings 9:15 - to build 1 Kings 9:25 - upon the altar that was before Acts 7:47 - General