1 Kings 6

1 Kings 6:1

2. Description and Construction of the Temple (Chap. 6)6:1 In verse 1, the work of building the temple is said to have been started 480 years after the exodus from Egypt. If Solomon began the construction in 967/66 B.C., this would date the exodus at 1446/47 B.C. It is not possible, however, to fix these dates with absolute certainty. There is much dispute among scholars on this subject, but 1446 B.C. is very close to the early date of the exodus. 6:2-6 Details concerning the plan of the temple are given in chapter 6. They are at times technical and involved, making it difficult to get the exact picture. However, we do know that the temple was built somewhat as follows. It was 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high (v. 2). It was divided into two rooms. The first room was the sanctuary, measuring 60 feet long by 30 feet wide by 45 feet high (vv. 2, 17).

Latticed windows, probably near the top, provided light and an escape for smoke (v. 4). The second room was the inner sanctuary, 30 feet long by 30 feet wide by 30 feet high. The vestibule added 30 more feet to the length at the east or front end and was elevated 15 feet above ground level. On the north, west, and south sides of the temple were three stories of side chambers, or rooms, for the priests. These were against the wall of the temple but were not an integral part of it. 6:7-10 All the lumber and stone for the temple was finished at the quarry to exact specifications so that when brought to Jerusalem, the pieces could be fitted together without iron tools (v. 7). Thus the temple was erected silently, just as the living temple of God is being built today. Verses 8 and 10 describe the doorway to the side chambers and the height of each story (7bd feet). Verse 9 describes the roof of the whole temple. 6:11-22 The word of the LORD graciously came to Solomon during the construction, promising to confirm the Davidic Covenant and that God would dwell in the temple among the children of Israel if the king would be obedient (vv. 11-13). The interior of the building was lined with cedar boards, completely overlaid . . . with pure gold; no stone was seen. These stones, so skillfully and precisely cut, were not even visible. Spurgeon makes a spiritual application: Even the foundation stones were not rugged and rough, but hewn and costly. God would have everything which is done for him done well. He careth not so much for that which meets the eye of man, he delights himself with the beauty of those living stones of his spiritual temple which are hidden away from observation. 6:23-28 Standing on either side of the ark, in the inner sanctuary, were two carved cherubim, overlaid . . . with gold. Their outstretched wings reached from one wall to the other. These are not the same as the cherubim on the mercy seat (Exo_25:18; Exo_37:9). 6:29, 30 Nothing but gold was visible inside the temple. 6:31-35 The folding or sliding doors leading to the inner sanctuary are described in verses 31 and 32. The rooms were also separated by a veil which hung inside the doors of the inner sanctuary2Ch_3:14. The main doors leading to the sanctuary are described in verses 33-35. 6:36 In front of the temple was the inner court of the priests. There was a low wall between it and the outer court. This wall consisted of three rows of hewn stone and a row of cedar beams. In the inner court were a huge brazen altar for sacrifices, a huge laver used by the priests for cleansing, and ten smaller lavers (chap. 7). The outer court was for the people of Israel. 6:37, 38 The temple was begun in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign and was finished . . . seven years later.