← Back to the beginning of 1 Kings 6
Ver. 8. And they went up with winding stairs.] We must also aspire to perfection: there should be continual ascensions in our hearts, neither may we rest till we have set our feet upon the battlements of heaven. See St Paul’s eagerness, Philippians 3:12-14.
Ver. 9. So he built the house.] Epilogus est praecedentium. And boards of cedar.] Which boards were also covered with lead without, and gold within. (1 Kings 6:22) Vatab.
Ver. 10. And he built chambers.] The tabernacle had none such. See on 1 Kings 6:5.
Ver. 11. And the word of the Lord came,] viz., By Abijah or some other prophet, even while he was in building, for his instruction and encouragement.
Ver. 12. Concerning this house, &c.] That Solomon might not trust to the external work, he is given to know that his obedience to God’s holy law is expected, if ever he mean to inherit the promises. There were in aftertimes that cried ad ravim usque, ” The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord!” who yet were destroyed for their iniquities. (Jeremiah 7:4) So the Papists cry out, like so many oyster peddlers, The Church, the Church: and not a few among us, We are believers, can say our creed, have had our Christendom, &c. (Matthew 7:22)
Ver. 13. And I will dwell among the children of Israel.] This was a high favour: what is it then to the saints, that he will indwell in them. (2 Corinthians 6:16) We have no vines, said the Scythians, but we have gods. And, ενθα δε οι θεοι, here are household gods, said the philosopher, pointing to his poor cottage.
Ver. 14. So Solomon built the house.] See 1 Kings 6:9.
Ver. 15. And he built the walls of the house.] He lined or wainscoted them. With boards of cedar.] Which is strong and durable, and for the dryness of it, besides the sweetness, the timber does not split or rot: yea, it hath a property to preserve other things from putrefaction. The Church is also stable and cannot be ruinated. The temple was destroyed, the Church can never be, (Matthew 16:10) it is insuperable.
Ver. 16. Even for the oracle.] So the Holy of Holies is called, because there God used to deliver divine answers, or oracles. (Leviticus 16:2 Exodus 30:6) Loquutorium Adytum.
Ver. 17. The temple.] That is, The holy place; whither none but the priests might come.
Ver. 18. Carved with knops and open flowers.] To show the multifarious flourishing graces that are in Christ and Christians. For in this piece of Scripture, by a specialty, we may say with Possevine, Tot esse sacramenta quot literas, tot mysteria quot puncta, tot arcana quot apices; there are so many words, so many mysteries. Biblioth. Select.
Ver. 19. To set there the ark of the covenant of the Lord.] This was a most precious piece. The Palladium at Troy, the Pessinuntium at Rome, the Image at Ephesus, made by Canetias, an ancient craftsman, and said by the covetous priests to have fallen down from Jupiter, (Acts 19:35) are not worthy to be named in the same day with this ark of the covenant; the principle evidence of God’s gracious presence, and, besides, a very lively type of Christ, and therefore kept in the innermost part of God’s house.
Ver. 20. Twenty cubits in length.] So that it was every way square. Overlaid it with pure gold.] Heb., With gold shut up; so called, haply, because men used to hoard up the best gold, and keep it close prisoner, as it were. And so covered the altar.] Which being wood within, and gold without, shadowed out Christ—the true altar (Hebrews 13:10) -in his twofold nature, human and divine.
Ver. 21. So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold.] Gold of Parnaim: he embellished it also with precious stones. (2 Chronicles 3:6)
Ver. 22. And the whole house he overlaid with gold.] So that it dazzled the eyes of the beholders, as Josephus testifieth: so that there was need to say—as the priests did at the temple of Ephesus, which was covered likewise with gold—to such as went in, Tenets oculos, look to your eyes. For the mystery, Quid est Templi illius aurea claritas, saith Rupertus, nisi ad dextram Patris sedentis immortalitas atque impassibilitas? What else is all this golden glister but the immortality and impassibility of him who sitteth at the right hand of his heavenly Father? And the polished cedars overlaid with fine gold, show the beauty of the Church, saith another, to be inward, pure, and precious, though unperceived of the world. (Psalms 45)
Ver. 23. And within the oracle he made two cherubims.] These were two great human winged statues, five yards high, representing the strength and excellency of the blessed angels, ever attendant upon the Almighty God; as also the eminent parts, and praiseworthy practices of gospel ministers, who should be at peace among themselves, and promote peace all they can among others. These cherubims were two of them, -Christ sent out his apostles by two and two, -they were also made of olive, that emblem of peace, and their faces looked one toward another: they were also uniform.
Ver. 24. And five cubits was the one wing.] This was the extent of their wings taken together with their bodies lying between those wings; unless we shall say with Kimchi, that their wings covered their bodies behind, and so their bodies took up no room, but their wings only in the house’s breadth.
Ver. 25. Of one measure, and of one size.] And all according to the pattern given by God to David. Here then is no plea for Popish imagery, or idolatry against the second commandment, unless they can produce a special warrant from the lawmaker, who can, when he pleaseth, dispense with his own law.
Ver. 26. The height of the one cherub was ten cubits.] They were of a giant like stature. See 1 Kings 6:23.
Ver. 27. Within the inner house.] That is, Within the holy of holies, where they stood before the ark, to hide and cover it from the eyes even of the high priest.
Ver. 28. And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.] Which could hardly be done without knocking and fastening it on with nails; unless we shall say that the gold was fastened on them with screw nails.
Ver. 29. And he carved all the walls.] See on 1 Kings 6:25. Of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers.] To note, saith one, the protection of the Church of Christ by the ministry of angels—though outwardly unseen—and the peaceable victorious flourishing under the same. (Hebrews 1:14)
Ver. 30. And the floor he overlaid with gold.] The pavement of marble covered with fir, did set forth faith in the heart, and holiness in the life—the fir tree is straight and tall—and the gold upon all these, love.
Ver. 31. Doors of olive tree.] Which kind of wood is hard, firm, and lasting: fit for posts and doors.
Ver. 32. Carvings of cherubims.] But far less than those two forementioned, though of a like signification. And palm trees and open flowers] Showing the variety of virtues which shine in the faithful.
Ver. 33. Posts of olive tree.] See 1 Kings 6:31.
Ver. 34. And the two doors were of fir tree.] Which were not so rare and precious as olive trees a difference was hereby also put between the holy of holies, and the holy place. Men do not know what a place heaven is: there is the best of the best of everything.
Ver. 35. And he carved thereon, &c.] See on 1 Kings 6:29.
Ver. 36. And he built the inner court.] Called the court of the priests, (2 Chronicles 4:9) and had without it an outer court, (Ezekiel 10:3,5) called also the great court, (2 Chronicles 4:9) where the people prayed, (Luke 1:10) and heard the word preached. (Acts 3:11,12 Ezra 10:9) In this outer court it was that our Saviour preached, when he is said to have taught in the temple: here he disputed, cast out the buyers and sellers, &c. (John 2:14,16) This court of the people surrounded not only the priests’ court, but also the whole temple: by the name whereof also it is sometimes called.
Ver. 37. In the fourth year,] sc., Of Solomon’s reign. See 1 Kings 6:1.
Ver. 38. In the month Bul.] Which hath its name either from fading, because then the leaves fall; or from the store of rain that then falleth. Bul quasi Mabbul, that is, a deluge. It answereth to our November. So was he seven years.] Seven years and six months: and, everything reckoned, he made very good despatch of so great a work. He was much longer about building his own house, (1 Kings 7:1) because less diligent and expeditious.